Weston McKennie: From Texas to Juventus and Beyond

omidbasir- Weston McKennie was born at Fort Lewis, Washington, but it was not the Pacific Northwest that shaped his soccer career. The environments that truly influenced him were Texas and Germany.

Raised primarily in Little Elm, Texas, McKennie’s soccer journey took a significant turn during a formative three-year period in Germany, where he lived from ages six to nine. His father, John, an Air Force officer, provided McKennie with his first exposure to high-level soccer during this time.

Upon returning to the United States, McKennie advanced through the youth ranks at FC Dallas and the U.S. youth national team, forming friendships with future senior teammates such as Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. Although he initially committed to play at the University of Virginia, McKennie opted instead to pursue a professional career in Germany with FC Schalke.

In a remarkable ascent, McKennie made his professional debut for Schalke’s first team in May 2017 and quickly established himself as a prominent player, making 22 Bundesliga appearances in the following season. His standout performances attracted the attention of Juventus, who signed him in 2020 following several impressive seasons in the Bundesliga.

At Juventus, McKennie achieved significant milestones, playing alongside global icons like Cristiano Ronaldo, scoring nine goals in the Champions League, and securing three trophies. His role in the U.S. Men’s National Team (USMNT) has been equally important, especially during the 2022 World Cup cycle, where he delivered exceptional performances, notably against England in his second World Cup match.

Despite his successes, McKennie’s tenure at Juventus has faced challenges, with frequent coaching changes leading to speculation about his future. Each time a new coach sought to phase him out, McKennie fiercely fought back to reclaim his position in the lineup.

As the 2025-26 season reaches its midpoint, McKennie stands at another pivotal moment. His contract with Juventus expires at the end of this season, and while reports regarding his future are varied, he is currently enjoying one of his best seasons to date.

Following the U.S. national team’s absence from the 2018 World Cup, McKennie was part of a new generation tasked with paving the way for 2022. He earned his first cap during a friendly against Portugal in November 2017 and has since accumulated 62 caps and 11 goals, winning three CONCACAF Nations League titles and a U.S. Soccer Player of the Year award.

As the 2026 World Cup approaches, McKennie’s role remains uncertain. He has demonstrated versatility, able to play multiple positions, prompting questions on how best to utilize his talents. He may serve as an attacking midfielder alongside Pulisic, a deeper-lying midfielder next to Adams, or even as a right-wing-back, given his recent success in that role with Juventus.

Ultimately, these decisions will fall to manager Mauricio Pochettino, but McKennie’s confidence and skill ensure he will be a player capable of impacting the World Cup at the highest level.