There were a few surprises, along with plenty of injury worries, as Mauricio Pochettino announced a squad that might look close to his World Cup group this June
Mauricio Pochettino has named a 27-player U.S. men's national team roster ahead of upcoming friendlies against Belgium and Portugal. The Argentine manager's selections offer insight into what a World Cup squad could look like, as these two matches will be the final games before he selects his final team for this summer's tournament.
Weston McKennie has established himself as one of the most reliable performers for Juventus this season, a far cry from the period when he seemed destined for a permanent exit. The American midfielder has reflected on his resilience and the mental strength required to fight for his place in the Bianconeri starting XI when the club’s hierarchy had other plans.
Weston McKennie has told GOAL what leadership means to him, as a captaincy candidate with Juventus and the USMNT, while discussing the kind of characters that he likes to work alongside. The all-action midfielder is enjoying a productive 2026, with a new contract being signed in Turin, and is counting down the days to a home World Cup on American soil.
Weston McKennie admits that the USMNT will be under “pressure” to deliver at a home World Cup, but considers that level of expectation to bring with it “extra motivation”. The United States is counting down the days to another major tournament on American soil, with McKennie explaining to GOAL how Mauricio Pochettino’s squad will handle the demands of heat and travel.
USMNT star Weston McKennie was bizarrely slapped by his own manager after seeing Juventus score a goal in their 4-0 victory over Pisa. The United States international midfielder played the full 90 minutes of that contest, having lined up at wing-back, but may have been left sporting a sore head afterwards after being clipped on the cheek by Luciano Spalletti.
Weston McKennie isn’t going anywhere.
After months of renewed speculation, the U.S. men’s national team midfielder has signed a new four-year contract with Juventus, committing to the Serie A side through 2030. McKennie had been set to become a free agent this summer, with interest building as his form surged, but Juventus have now moved decisively to secure one of their most versatile contributors for the long term.
The former United States head coach Gregg Berhalter has heaped praise upon Weston McKennie after the Juventus midfielder continued his resurgence in Italy. The former Schalke player has been reborn this season and become integral to a new look Juventus side, even filling in as a makeshift centre-forward to great effect for the Old Lady at times this campaign.
Weston McKennie was at the center of Juventus' three-goal comeback on Wednesday, scoring the third goal of that comeback against Galatasaray. McKennie's late finish leveled the aggregate scoreline of Wednesday's second leg of the Champions League's play-off round.
USMNT star Weston McKennie has, according to reports in Italy, finally agreed a new contract with Juventus. Fresh terms will bring transfer talk to the close, as the United States international has been heading towards free agency. It is claimed that the versatile midfielder’s new deal will see him become one of the top earners with Serie A heavyweights.
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