Weston McKennie is enjoying his finest season at Juventus, attributing his success to his mental resilience that has helped him navigate through challenging periods in Italy.
“My journey at Juve has been quite the emotional ride,” McKennie shared with The Cooligans this week. “I’ve always felt at home here and a sense of belonging. I stand firm in my beliefs, and my confidence in myself has driven me throughout my career.”
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“Playing here has been educational. It’s taught me resilience and how to keep pushing forward when the odds are against you. It’s also fostered my overall maturity. Learning about Italian culture — its class and eloquence — has helped me grow in this regard as well.”
The 27-year-old midfielder has emerged as a key player for the Serie A side, netting eight goals across all competitions this season. Under the guidance of manager Luciano Spalletti, he has been deployed in a more attacking role, leading to fruitful results, including four Champions League goals in the final six games of the tournament.
Weston McKennie passes the ball during an international friendly against Ecuador at Q2 Stadium. (Photo by John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
(John Dorton/ISI Photos/USSF via Getty Images)
McKennie’s success in Europe also translates to his international play for the United States, where he has earned 62 caps and will aim to secure a spot on Mauricio Pochettino’s World Cup team this summer when the final squad is revealed at the end of May.
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The U.S. is co-hosting the World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico, and expectations for the team have risen following a successful string of international friendlies. Preparations intensify with upcoming matches against Belgium and Portugal later this month and subsequent fixtures against Senegal and Germany in June.
The men’s team has only advanced past the Round of 16 once since 1990, reaching the quarterfinals in 2002. Although many hold high hopes for the USMNT this summer, McKennie prefers to focus on the day-to-day tasks ahead.
“I’m not one to think too far ahead; I take it one day and one game at a time,” McKennie stated. “I wouldn’t say I have specific expectations for our finish; our primary goal, like any participating team, is to strive for victory. As athletes and competitors, that’s our aim.”
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“As a team, our expectations are likely higher than others set for us. We’ve spent significant time together, accommodating new faces, but we know our abilities and understand the dynamics of the game better than anyone else on the field. Thus, our self-expectations are elevated, and we aim to remain unaffected by external criticism or chatter. Ultimately, it’s that 26-man roster and coaching staff present during the tournament, along with the 11 players on the field, who will decide the outcome — not what is said outside.”
“People can talk all they want, but the true measure is how well we perform.”
Catch the full discussion on “The Cooligans” podcast — and subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, or wherever you listen.