GettyMcKennie earned a secondary assist on Juve's lone goal of the match, helping set up Arkadiusz Milik's finish in the 1-0 win over Lecce. With the win, Juventus bounced back from a weekend loss to Sassuolo, which was their first defeat of the Serie A season.
McKennie's U.S. men's national team teammate Tim Weah came on to replace him late on in a like-for-like American-for-American substitution.
Getty ImagesMcKennie helped set up Juventus' opening goal, with his backpost cross undoing a resolute Lecce defense.
The American star received the ball on the right-hand side and proceeded to play a cross to the back post, finding midfielder Adrien Rabiot. The Frenchman headed the ball right back across goal to Milik, who was left with a simple tap-in on the other side to give Juve the 1-0 lead.
Getty ImagesThe match was McKennie's fourth-straight as a starter, as he has, at least temporarily, taken Weah's spot as right wing-back.
McKennie has played well during that stretch, contributing to all three goals in a win over Lazio recently before his role in Milik's finish on Tuesday.
It's been a bold decision from Massimiliano Allegri to keep McKennie at the position, one which definitely isn't his strongest, especially since it takes away his ability to be a late arriver in the box. However, McKennie has repaid his faith in recent weeks, putting in several strong performance in the unfamiliar role.
What that all means for Tim Weah, though, is an interesting storyline to watch. He's now gone four games without a start as his USMNT teammate has seemingly leapfrogged him for that starting role so early in his Juventus career. Weah looked good against Sassuolo, but McKennie remained in the XI anyway, and he certainly didn't lose ground with his performance on Tuesday.
GettyGregg Berhalter will be glad to see McKennie fit and contributing, particularly with big friendlies against Germany and Ghana coming up in the near future.
McKennie's Leeds United move could have really sapped his confidence, as that experience was worse than anyone could have imagined. His decision to remain at Juventus also looked like it could backfire, with there seemingly being no place for him to start in the midfield to start the season.
Because of that, the U.S. will be happy to see him starting and creating goals as he looks to rebuild himself with this Juventus return. Would it be better to see him win a midfield spot? Of course, but McKennie will take what he can get for now.
GettyWeston McKennie (7/10):
Another good performance from the American, who continues to make a new role his own. His crossing, which felt like it should be a weakness, has been good. Defensively, he's been sound too, with McKennie doing plenty of good work on that side of the ball to help preserve the clean sheet.
Tim Weah (N/A):
A very late sub as Juve looked to seal the win. Only got a handful of touches before the final whistle.
GettyUp next for Juventus, who move up to second with the win, is a visit to sixth-place Atalanta.