Weston McKennie is loving the UEFA Champions League right now.
McKennie scored in his third-consecutive UCL appearance on Wednesday as Juventus defeated Benfica 2-0 in league phase play in Turin. The American midfielder now has five goals on the season in all competition, with three of those coming in his last five appearances overall.
After a goal-less first half, Luciano Spalletti’s squad took a 1-0 lead before the hour mark through Khephren Thuram-Ulien’s opening goal.
McKennie added his name to the scoresheet nine minutes later, doubling Juventus’ lead after a clever 1-2 with Canadian forward Jonathan David. The American midfielder laid off a pass for David at the top of the Benfica box, before David’s return pass allowed McKennie to slot home into the bottom-left corner.
It was a memorable finish for McKennie, who celebrated his 40th-career UCL appearance.
McKennie logged a full 90 minutes in the victory, helping the Bianconeri jump up to 15th place in the league phase standings. The Serie A squad guaranteed themselves at least a playoff berth and could jump into the top-eight with a victory on Matchday 8.
Juventus will next prepare for a crucial top-five league showdown with Napoli on Sunday.
Derby squashing rumors that Agyemang has interest from EPL clubs, but added he’s not for sale. I would be shocked, but I never thought Jedi to Milan was real six years ago and it nearly happened.
Seems likely Wes will be competing for the dual 10 spot. And quite frankly I think he is making a strong case to be starting next to Pulisic. Pulisic, Wes, Tillman, Aaronson, Reyna, Zendejas would be the six AM’s I would take. 5 DM’s: Cardoso, Tessman, Adams, Morris, Roldan.
Well, that was filthy. They’ve been playing him as a RW though clearly he has license to wander some as he likes to do, he popped up all the way into the left half-space. That little drag, dribble, and 1-2 would have been decent work for Lionel Messi. I genuinely didn’t know Weston even had that file on his hard drive.
I had it my head we were likely going to mostly see a 3-4-2-1 and not really feature a true #10 since it seems to be our most effective formation, but I also had sort of mentally penciled in Malik Tillman as our likely RW alongside Pulisic. But McKennie’s been killing it the closer to goal they move him. Be fascinating to see if this is just a hot streak or his new normal.
Wes has been playing in the same spot for Poch as Tillman did this summer in GC.
Yup. He looked good doing it, too.
Tillman did really well at the Gold Cup and really seemed to break through for us. But he’d best bring his lunch. He’s not been bad for Leverkusen but he hasn’t sparkled either. McKennie is without question in better form at the moment.
When you’re discussing which starter on a Champions League squad we’d like to see alongside arguably the best player at AC Milan, my but stuff has changed a bit in the last few years.
He hasn’t just scored, he’s played well and like you said he’s had license to roam.
How does this translate to the Nat Team?? I think we’re all sitting here thinking about what it’s gonna look like.
I think we spoke earlier of Weston next to Adams in this 3421 and if I recall correctly you and JR and IV and others kept saying he’s not gonna be 1 of the 2 CMs…
I countered with, how can he get the most talent on the pitch at the same time (assuming Tillman was still the most likely starter opposite Pulisic)…and advocated for Wes next to Adams…
Now I find myself wondering if Tillman can slide in next to Adams because right now Wes is balling on the RW in that 4231 Juve..
I can’t believe I’m gonna quote Alexi Lalas but these are champagne problems to have..
I guess March will give us some idea to address our curiosity huh…
We’re definitely seeing Weston’s best when he can wander and freelance a bit and find the game. He can play a lot of roles, but the two 6’s on Poch’s system need to be boring, consistent, and absolutely dependable…Pochettino does not want drama in the middle of the park, he wants control and he wants guys who are disciplined and always where they’re supposed to be. Weston’s a lot of things…but he’s going to freelance and take chances because that’s just who he is. That can leave your partner holding the bag in a double pivot and does not make Pochettino smile approvingly, for sure.
Nice job Weston! I am so glad a lot of Americans are in form abroad and in MLS. Good to see, going into March even though its early.