Champions League could be George Bello’s path back to USMNT radar

There is a disappointingly low number of Americans playing in the UEFA Champions League this season. That shouldn’t be a reflection on the state of American soccer. Rather, many of the clubs featuring Americans that are used to playing in Champions League had to settle for a Europa League spot this year. There are still half a dozen Americans to keep your eye on in the world’s greatest club competition.

One player who some USMNT fans may not have realized is participating in Champions League this season is George Bello. He hasn’t made an appearance with the national team since March 2022. He was completely absent from the 2026 World Cup cycle. However, the left-back is just 24, and playing in Champions League with Austrian side LASK could be his pathway back onto the USMNT radar.

Surprise Champions League qualification

Bello made the move from Atlanta United to Europe in early 2022, signing with German side Arminia Bielefeld. The club was soon relegated to the second division, with Bello leaving 18 months later for LASK in Austria. He’s largely toiled in obscurity since then. Despite Bello making 96 appearances for LASK over the last three seasons, including 14 in either Europa League or Conference League, playing in Austria did not draw enough attention to earn a USMNT call-up.

But with LASK playing in Champions League, Bello will get a chance to showcase himself against top competition, something he can’t do in the Austrian Bundesliga. That was only made possible after an epic comeback by the Austrian side in the Play-off round. LASK lost the first leg of the play-off round 3-0 to Scottish side Celtic. After falling behind 1-0 in the second league, LASK scored five unanswered goals to win 5-4 on aggregate, sending Bello and company to the league phase.

Of course, Bello and LASK’s success came at the expense of other American players. Auston Trusty and Cameron Carter-Vickers were the center-back tandem for Celtic in that regrettable 5-1 defeat. Both players could have used Champions League to improve their standing with Mauricio Pochettino and the national team. But their loss is Bello’s gain.

What does Bello bring to the table?

Bello has once again been a regular in the LASK side this season. He’s started all five of the club’s games in the Austrian Bundesliga, helping the LASK win all five games. Bello has played 90 minutes as a left wing-back in nearly every game he’s started, including the two against Celtic. While he’s yet to register a goal or assist, most of his performances have been strong for Austria’s top team.

Despite his absence from the USMNT since 2022, Bello still has the qualities that made him an intriguing prospect when he left Atlanta for Europe. He still has impressive pace and the motor to play both sides of the ball for 90 minutes.

During the summer of 2025, Bello was linked to clubs in Scotland and the English Championship, so the fact that he’s still in Austria is a little misleading. At 24, he could still have upward mobility and make a move to a bigger league. In the meantime, helping LASK get to the Champions League for the first time is a nice feather in his cap, not to mention a great opportunity.

Bello’s Champions League opportunity

Playing with LASK in Champions League will give Bello the chance to play with a lot of eyes watching. Pochettino and the USMNT staff will be more likely to watch Bello in Champions League against strong competition than against inferior Austrian sides. LASK begins its Champions League journey Tuesday against AEK Athens, with games against Liverpool, Sporting, Real Madrid, Porto, and others to follow. Those games will be a great barometer for how far Bello’s development has come in the past few years.

Of course, Bello has fallen well down the depth chart. During the World Cup, Antonee Robinson and Max Arfsten were the two left wing-backs on the USMNT roster. The likes of John Tolkin, Marlon Fossey, Luca Bombino, and others are also likely higher on the depth chart at the moment. That gives Bello plenty of work to do to work his way up.

On the other hand, the fact that Bello is playing wing-back for LASK can’t hurt his chances, with Pochettino also employing a lineup that utilizes wing-backs. Plus, Bello has something that nobody else at that position does: the Champions League stage. Regardless of whether LASK advances out of the league phase or not, if Bello can perform well individually, he could get himself back on the USMNT radar. This is Bello’s big chance to return to the national team, and he must seize it.

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