Wasted Summer: What to make of Weston McKennie and Tim Weah? USMNT duo ignored as Real Madrid eliminate Juventus from Club World Cup, raising questions

GOAL looks at the status of the two U.S internationals, with neither having a say in the club's final game at the CWC

Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Juventus bowed out of the FIFA Club World Cup, with the Bianconeri falling to Real Madrid in the Round of 16 on Tuesday. And if you blinked, you wouldn't have known they were even there.

"I think it is time to rest now," Juventus manager Igor Tudor said after the game. "We will have three weeks of rest, so I don't think it [Club World Cup] will affect us in a negative way. But yes, we need to get some rest, start again, and be stronger."

During their knockout round match, McKennie logged four minutes off the bench, and Weah went as an unused as a substitute as Los Blancos beat Juve, 1-0, to advance to the quarterfinals. McKennie, who had captained Juve during their first two group stage matches, was a surprise omission from the XI. Weah, by all accounts, was not expected to be used off the bench.

The 25-year-old winger was the subject of transfer discussions to Nottingham Forest during the tournament, with the two clubs reportedly reaching an agreement. But Weah in turn rejected the terms of the deal, just one day before Juve's match against Manchester City. His future is uncertain.

Weah played 45 of a possible 360 minutes at the CWC, while McKennie logged 222 minutes and was named captain for two matches. Now, with their exit confirmed, questions beg: What can the USMNT duo take away from the tournament, if anything, and where do they stand ahead of the 2025-26 season with the club?

GOAL US takes a look at the status of the two Americans less than a year out from the 2026 World Cup.

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Was it worth it?
The Bianconeri boast an incedible amount of depth in both wide and midfield positions, so minutes were always going to be hard to come by. For McKennie, that meant overcoming roster competition from Teum Koopmeiners, Manuel Locatelli, Douglas Luiz, and Khephren Thuram.
Weah's situatuon was made more difficult by the transfer saga. After his Matchday three ommission, Weah's agent labeled the situation a "shame" and called out Juventus for their treatment of the American, who has been a valuable asset for them over the past two seasons.
Then, against Madrid, he returned to the teamsheet, but - down a goal with minutes to spare in the match - the Bianconeri used their final subs on McKennie and defender Federico Gatti.

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What can they take away from it?
McKennie appeared to have Tudor's trust, but in the biggest game of the competition, was deemed excess by the Italian manager. Generally, the positives outweighed the negatives for the midfielder, and a bright future under Tudor looks to exist heading into next season.
Being handed the captain's armband is an honor for any footballer. With FIFA's new strict rules about captains being the only players allowed to communicate with referees over on-field decisions, the role requires great leadership abilities. For McKennie, it showed that Tudor believes that he has a meaningful role with the Turin club - even with the decision not to start him against Madrid.
Weah, meanwhile, would seem to have no meaningful future at Juve. Timing-wise, at least he knows where he stands, and can factor that into his next career move. Still, what was the point in bringing him to the U.S. for the tournament? Weah was wasted, so why include him in the traveling roster for the competition?
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Club World Cup or Gold Cup?
Based on FIFA's Club World Cup rules, teams brought expanded rosters with the majority of their senior players to the tournament. European stars such as Kylian Mbappe, Erling Haaland, Harry Kane, and Cole Palmer were all present for their respective clubs and competing.
Per FIFA rules, participating CWC teams were not mandated to release players for international competitions - but they had the option to do so by not selecting them for their Club World Cup squads. An example was Inter Milan releasing Canada winger Tajon Buchanan for the Cold Cup. Buchanan, who spent the 2024-25 season on loan at Villareal, said the club they didn't deny him from representing Les Rouges.
Realizing he was excess for the squad and wouldn't factor into their CWC plans, Inter allowed him to represent his country. To that end, if Juventus knew Weah was excess for the tournament, why wouldn't they have done the same? They could have released him to play with the USMNT in the Gold Cup, which might have driven up his transfer value ahead of an expected summer move.
The 25-year-old could have benefitted from more games on the international stage, while the U.S. could have used him, given the high number absences among regulars on the Gold Cup roster.
McKennie, meanwhile, was best suited to be at the CWC, gaining minutes while earning the trust of all those in the club. Now, as a three-week break arrives before Juventus returns for preseason, it's going to be a tell-tale period for both Americans.

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Where do they go from here?
Weah, who has already reportedly rejected Forest, looks to be shopped as Juventus prepare for the 2025-26 campaign. A report surfaced Tuesday that the 25-year-old was also offered to fellow English club Manchester United, as a part of a swap deal for winger Jadon Sancho, alongside Juventus teammates Douglas Luiz and Dusan Vlahovic.
Perhaps that is far-fetched, but it's another sign that Weah is likely on the move. Ahead of the World Cup next summer, it will be crucial that he lands at a club that values him and gives him meaningful minutes.
McKennie, meanwhile, is in an interesting circumstance. Over the past two summer transfer windows, he was the subject of speculation, and in 2024, reportedly was told to find a new club by the Italian outfit. Since, he's become a key member of the Bianconeri's squad, and has been on the verge of a reported contract extension for months with the club.
After a positive showing at the CWC, it certainly seems he will be part of Juve's plans. For now, though, all eyes are on wayward Weah. The 25-year-old has been shown the door - now, where will he land?

Was it worth it?

What can they take away from it?

Club World Cup or Gold Cup?

Where do they go from here?