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On Wednesday evening, 24-year-old American international Johnny Cardoso etched his name in the history books and joined an elite club among the greats of American football.
After playing just 60 seconds of action in the quarter-final against Barcelona, Cardoso was a surprise in the starting XI for the Champions League semi-final first leg against Arsenal.
In doing so, the New Jersey-born star became the third American to start a semi-final in the world’s most prestigious club competition.
Born in the United States but raised in Brazil, the midfielder provided the steel and composure Atlético needed against a high-flying Gunners attack. He joins an ultra-exclusive club of Americans to reach this altitude, behind Christian Pulisic.
Although Cardoso failed to find the net to match Pulisic’s famous goalscoring record in the semi-final, his presence allowed Atlético to come back in a game that seemed to be running out of steam in the first half.
Griezmann’s last dance in Madrid
Antoine Griezmann enjoyed his last home match with Atlético Madrid in the Champions League on Wednesday.
Griezmann failed to score despite a few good chances, but he led Atlético’s attack alongside Julian Alvarez and was named the match’s most valuable player after the 1-1 draw against Arsenal in the first leg of the semi-finals.
“It’s a shame I couldn’t find the net,” said Griezmann, who joins MLS club Orlando City this summer. “But it will definitely happen in the second leg. We all made a great effort.”
Griezmann’s best chance at the Metropolitano Stadium was a second-half shot that hit the crossbar. He also came close with a strike from inside the box.
Griezmann, 35, missed a penalty in the 2016 Champions League final that Atlético lost to Real Madrid.
“We want to reach the final,” Griezmann said. “It’s my dream. I have prepared a lot for this match and the one we will have in London, and I hope we can reach the final.”
The French playmaker said Atlético deserved a better result after improving in the second half at the Metropolitano.
“The bad minutes we played in the first half hurt a bit,” Griezmann said. “We sorted out some tactical issues in the second half and we were able to put pressure on better and move better. The fans kept pushing and that helped too.”
Griezmann is Atlético’s all-time top scorer but his minutes have been managed by coach Diego Simeone this season. He spent 10 seasons with Atlético. He also played for Real Sociedad and Barcelona.
“We all want to reach the final,” Atlético midfielder Koke Resurreccion said, “and I hope the match in London will not be Griezmann’s last in this competition.”
