The USMNT will rely on key players to step up and perform at a high level at the World Cup. Christian Pulisic will need to create and score goals, the midfield will need to be controlled by Tyler Adams, Folarin Balogun has to lead the attacking line, and Chris Richards is going to be tasked with leading the defense. However, Weston McKennie is capable of doing all of this and how he performs may very well determine the level of success the USMNT has this summer.
McKennie has always been a talented
player and has shown that he can fill nearly any position on the field. That has been helpful as he’s able to fill gaps in the lineup but at times kept him from establishing himself as a starter in a single position in his club career. Every season there seems to be speculation about his future with his club. That began to change last season with Juventus, but this season he is proving that a jack of all trades is a master of none, but oftentimes better than a master of one. His versatility was recognized as he was named the Juventus’ player of the Month for January after scoring three goals in seven games.
His managers over the years have described his ability to play in different roles over his career. Current Juventus boss Luciano Spalletti says “McKennie is a perfect central striker.” He noted that, “he fights, he’s strong in the air and he can jump high. He plays to get results because he makes decisions. He would be a perfect striker.” This speaks to McKennie’s understanding of the game and how to exploit space to support this team in the attack.
Last year, Thiago Motta talked about McKennie’s ability to play multiple positions, noting “he has played fullback, holding midfielder, attacking midfielder, winger. He’s a top-level player.” Motta went on to note that, “Weston plays everywhere, and he has to be on the field. It’s hard for me to leave him out. Maybe not as a goalkeeper, but in every other position, it’s difficult to put him on the bench. That’s what being a top-level player means.”
What’s exciting about McKennie is that the USMNT has never had a player like him playing at this high of a level and unique talents like him have made the difference for championship winning sides. McKennie has a chance to add his name to the likes of similar players like James Milner and Federico Valverde. Currently, he is solidly in the prime of his career and playing the best soccer of his life for Juventus.
Wes’ work-rate and ability to play everywhere make him the kind of player who can be the engine for the USMNT. That aspect of his game is well known, but his versatility and ability to play anywhere also make him the kind of player who can make a lung busting run to break up an attack or find space to score while opponents are focused on shutting down Pulisic and Balogun.
If McKennie plays the kind of soccer he’s playing for his club in the World Cup, he has the ability to push the team to play up to the level of teams considered contenders to win the tournament. He’s always been a special player with unique skills, this summer those abilities will be on the world’s stage and give the team a chance to exceed expectations and change the way the world looks at American soccer.
