Juventus took one major step into booking its place in the UEFA Champions League Round of 16.
Weston McKennie scored the opening goal for Thiago Motta’s squad in a 2-1 first leg victory over visiting PSV. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder started and played 68 minutes while fellow American attacker Tim Weah logged 90 minutes at right back.
McKennie propelled the Bianconeri in front after 34 minutes, racing into the PSV box before volleying home into the top-right corner.
It is McKennie’s fourth goal of the season across all competitions.
Ivan Perisic equalized for PSV in the 56th minute but Juventus would have the final say in the match.
Samuel Mbangula followed up on a rebound in the PSV box to make it 2-1 with eight minutes to play. PSV goalkeeper Walter Benitez pushed Chico Conceciao’s cross into the middle of the box and Mbangula made no mistake on the winning strike.
Fellow USMNT player Richie Ledezma logged 90 minutes in the loss for PSV.
The two teams will conclude their two-legged series in Eindhoven on Feb. 18.
US U17s one win away from qualifying for U17 WC. They face Cuba on Friday. Both teams 2-0, USA +29 GD Cuba +5 GD from same opponents. Nothing guaranteed but things look pretty good. Top U17s Sullivan, Albert, and Hall not in the squad.
Julian Hall 16 year old from New York Red Bulls in MLS supposedly going to Barcelona. He looks like some of my Puerto Rican cousins. Of course they will loan lil hermano out, but I could see him headlined like this like McKennie is in the future.
His mother is Polish so he would be eligible to go before he’s 18. Likely would play for youth teams like Pedro Soma and Diego Kochen not be loaned initially. Not sure short term that’s good for him since he’d play in a lot of matches in MLS this season but long term being in La Masia likely better. Of course they didn’t really turn out hits in Konrad or Ben Lederman.
An absolute Banger!!!! Wow….
Solid performance by Weah also. He had a lot of penetrating runs from full back and caused a lot of problems for the PSV back line.
He was a live wire, especially in the first half. Juve should have scored another goal or two early on. He looked in as good a form as I have ever seen him.
It’s obvious.
Juve had more USMNT eligible Americans on the field.