MIAMI – Several players with Concacaf ties stood out for their respective clubs in the UEFA Women’s Champions League quarterfinals, with over a handful moving on to the semifinals and vying for the trophy.
Chelsea, runners-up in 2021, became the first semifinalists after defeating first-time quarterfinalists Ajax. Canadians Ashley Lawrence and Kadeisha Buchanan were key players for the Blues to win both games.
U.S. women’s national team forward Catarina Macario made her UWCL debut with the Blues after being out due to an ACL injury. Macario previously won the UWCL with Lyon in 2021–22, bringing championship experience to Emma Hayes’ roster in future USWNT head coach’s last season with Chelsea.
Ajax’s 16-years-old midfielder Lily Johannes, who is eligible to represent the United States, was one of the players whose skills caught plenty of attention. Johannes earned her first USWNT senior call up to be part of the upcoming SheBelieves Cup.
Olympique Lyon clinched its spot to the semifinals after hard fought matches against SL Benfica. The French giants had the services of U.S. captain Lindsey Horan, who assisted three times within the series, Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles and Haiti star Melchie Dumornay, who provided the winning assist in the first leg of the quarterfinal.
With Canadian talents Chandra Davidson and Marie-Yasmine Alidou, SL Benfica captured everyone's radar by drawing to the current European Champions FC Barcelona in the Group Stage. The duo helped Benfica go head-to-head against Lyon before bowing out of the tournament.
Paris Saint-Germain is the last semifinalist after defeating Swedish side BK Hacken in both legs. U.S. defender Eva Gaetino opened the team’s scoring in the quarterfinals, helping her earn her first senior call up on the SheBelieves Cup roster.
USWNT midfielder and W Gold Cup winner Korbin Albert also played a great part in the Parisian win, starting in both legs and getting a goal in the second match to help PSG return to the semifinals.
BK Hacken also had Concacaf talent, with Canadian Clarissa Larisey seeing action in both games, consolidating her position within the team before joining her national team to play at the SheBelieves Cup.
