Weston McKennie’s durability and versatility is starting to take centerstage for Juventus this winter.
McKennie helped the Bianconeri earn back-to-back wins this week, scoring once, and logging 180 minutes over that span. The U.S. men’s national team midfielder earned SBI Americans Abroad Player of the Week honors in the process, continuing what has been a stellar season for the veteran.
Juventus claimed three points midweek after defeating Benfica 2-0 in UEFA Champions League action. McKennie scored his fifth goal of the campaign and his third-straight in European play, helping Luciano Spalletti’s squad seal a knockout round berth.
Four days later, McKennie logged his latest gem as Juventus rolled past Napoli 3-0 in Serie A play. The result kept the Turin-based club’s thin title-race hopes alive, moving them 10 points back of league-leading Inter with 16 matches left to play.
The 27-year-old McKennie has rarely put a foot wrong this season as he continues to shine as an outside midfielder under Spalletti. Even though McKennie has mainly always featured in midfield, Spalletti did back him to potentially be a striker option someday.
“McKennie is a perfect central striker,” Spalletti said postmatch after Sunday’s win. “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.”
With UCL play coming midweek in Monaco before back-to-back trips to Parma and Atalanta in respective competitions, McKennie’s busy schedule won’t slow down anytime soon.
Here is a closer look at this week’s top Americans Abroad performances:
Mark McKenzie
Toulouse made it back-to-back Ligue 1 wins on Sunday with Mark McKenzie assisting in its latest victory.
McKenzie registered one assist in Toulouse’s 2-0 win over Stade Brest on Sunday, logging 90 minutes in the match. The American defender also won five duels, made six clearances, and eight defensive recoveries in his 18th appearance of the campaign.
Don’t look now but Toulouse are moving ever closer to the top-six places with most of the season left to play.
Timothy Weah
Saturday’s Ligue 1 schedule saw Timothy Weah etch his name back on the stat sheet.
Weah assisted on Marseille’s third and final goal of a 3-1 triumph over Lens. The USMNT wingback also won five duels, made three defensive recoveries, and completed two dribbles as he helped Marseille rebound from a midweek UCL loss to Liverpool.
Weah is now up to six goal contributions on the season, which are tied for the second-most in a single season for the 25-year-old.
Patrick Agyemang
2026 is starting to see more and more of Patrick Agyemang’s name on the scoresheet.
Agyemang bagged his eighth goal of the EFL Championship season on Friday in Derby County’s 1-1 draw with West Bromwich Albion. The American forward finished off a loose ball in the West Brom box, giving the Rams a first-half lead at Pride Park.
Although the Rams couldn’t hang on for a full three points, Agyemang continued his fast start to the new year.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce
Teams are finding it very tough to score past Phallon Tullis-Joyce right now.
Manchester United earned three-straight wins in three different competitions with Tullis-Joyce playing a large role over that span. The Red Devils defeated Burnley 5-0 in FA Cup play before edging Arsenal 1-0 in League Cup semifinal action midweek.
Tullis-Joyce most recently made six saves in Sunday’s WSL victory over Aston Villa, extending the club’s unbeaten run to seven matches.
The USWNT No. 1 looks back to her old self after missing time earlier this winter with an eye injury.
What did you think of this weekend’s slate of Americans Abroad action? Is there anyone else deserving of a shout on this list?
Share your thoughts below.