Paris Saint-Germain will be the favorites to repeat as Ligue 1 winners this season but several Americans will want to have a say in the title race.
Folarin Balogun, Tim Weah, and Gio Reyna headline the American continent in France’s top-flight this campaign. Balogun is back for his third full season with AS Monaco while Weah is staying with Marseille after the club purchased him outright from Juventus.
Reyna is one of two new American faces in Ligue 1 after making the switch from Borussia Moenchengladbach to Strasbourg. After a pair of frustrating club seasons, Reyna will hope that a switch to France helps him get back to his best.
Bryan Reynolds is also new to Ligue 1 this season, joining up with Stade Rennes from Belgian club Westerlo. Four-straight seasons with Westerlo has helped Reynolds prepare for this jump back to a top-five league.
Mark McKenzie and Tanner Tessmann round out the six Americans in Ligue 1 as both players seek to play leading roles for their clubs. McKenzie remains a key piece in the Toulouse setup while Tessmann heads into his third season with Lyon.
Here is a closer look at the Americans Abroad contingent heading into the Ligue 1 season:
Folarin Balogun, AS Monaco
AS Monaco’s Ligue 1 season will go as far as Folarin Balogun takes them.
Balogun excelled for Monaco last campaign, scoring 19 goals in 43 appearances. The USMNT forward also contributed four assists and bounce back majorly after a disappointing season in 2024-25.
Balogun’s stellar run with Monaco carried over to the FIFA World Cup, where he scored three goals and helped the Americans reach the Round of 16.
Despite no UEFA Champions League, Monaco will still have aspirations to be in the title race and also bring home a domestic cup.
Tim Weah, Marseille
A positive first season with Marseille led to the French club purchasing Tim Weah outright from Juventus.
Weah’s versatility was on display throughout the campaign as the 25-year-old scored three goals and added four assists. His 41 appearances marked the second-most for Weah in a single club season, a testament to his work rate and consistency as a fullback/wingback.
Expectations will be even higher on Weah this time around, especially with Marseille seeking a strong European run.
Mark McKenzie, Toulouse
Mark McKenzie’s positive adjustment to Ligue 1 has led to him becoming one of the league’s more consistent defenders.
After notching 33 appearances in his first season there, McKenzie made 34 appearances last term, registering two assists. The veteran centerback forced his way into the USMNT World Cup squad and should remain a top option for Mauricio Pochettino to consider this fall.
Toulouse will certainly aim to lock McKenzie down long-term, especially with his contract due to expire next summer.
Tanner Tessmann, Lyon
Another American heading into his third Ligue 1 season is Tanner Tessmann.
Tessmann scored two goals in 41 appearances for Lyon last campaign, featuring in the UEFA Europa League for the second time. The former FC Dallas product consistent delivered solid shifts for Lyon, whether it was in the heart of midfield or as a third centerback in defense.
Despite missing the FIFA World Cup through injury, Tessmann has already featured in European play this summer and should be ready to go for league action.
Bryan Reynolds, Stade Rennes
25-year-old Bryan Reynolds’ stellar run at Westerlo earned him a return to a top-five league.
Reynolds made 30 or more appearances in each of his four seasons in Belgium, scoring two goals and adding three assists in the most recent campaign. A right back by trade, Reynolds is likely to stay at that position this season for Stade Rennes, who will want to be part of the top-three picture.
Should Reynolds deliver an impact start to the season, it’s very possible we see him back in the USMNT picture by year’s end.
Gio Reyna, Strasbourg
One year after Gio Reyna was trading Borussia Dortmund for Borussia Moenchengladbach, the attacking midfielder is now headed to France.
Reyna completed a permanent move to Strasbourg with hopes of getting his club career back on track. He scored once in 20 appearances for Gladbach last term and ultimately is in a worrying spot in terms of overall club consistency.
Strasbourg is in intriguing spot for Reyna, who should see a new lease on life under Hugo Oliveira.
Do you see Balogun staying the full season with Monaco? Can Reyna get his club career back on track? Are you expecting to see any of these Americans be in the title race?
Share your thoughts below.
Source: Sbisoccer.com
