Weston McKennie was the star of the show in Juve’s Coppa Italia quarterfinals victory on Thursday afternoon. The United States Men’s National Team star played a huge hand in two goals for Juve in their 4-0 victory and he nearly put himself in the scoring column as well. After a disastrous loan spell in England last season, Weston McKennie has come back to Italy, and been a top three player for Juventus throughout the early part of the Italian season. Unfortunately, he will be unavailable for their follow up game next Tuesday as he is suspended due to yellow card accumulation, and he will miss out on their return to domestic action next week.

It was a perfect way to wrap up their play in their domestic cup over the last week and a half as they have advanced to the next round and they will take on Lazio in a two-legged semifinals matchup. The play of Weston McKinney is a big reason why Juventus finds themselves in that position this season, and he will look to further establish himself as a top three player for the Italian giants when he returns from his suspension after their game next week.

It seems crazy that just a year ago many fans were calling for him to be removed from the team and they were excited about his loan to Leeds United. He has reinserted himself into the plans for manager Max Allegri, and he is sure to be a lock on starter throughout the rest of the season as long as he remains healthy and consistent.

He looked incredible out on the field on Thursday during their victory as he was serving up balls, and hitting his teammates directly in the feet, which was more evident than his beautiful assist that earned Juventus their fourth goal of the game when he sent a long ball over the box to Yildiz and Yildiz ran the ball, and put it into the back of the net.

That is a pass that he has made several times for both club and country and if his level of play is this high going into the summer series of tournaments for the USMNT, then the United States is certainly going to be dangerous heading into COPA America. Not only will they likely shine at their international tournament over the summer but their search for a third consecutive nations league title in the spring, should be a successful campaign as well. 

McKennie is arguably in the best form of his career, even better than he was in the period of time following the Covid lockdown, and he will look to further blossom as one of the best midfielders in Italy with a quality second half of the season. All things are pointing upwards for the United States and Weston McKennie as they head into one of the most important summers in the history of their program as a national team.

McKennie has led the way for Americans in Europe this season alongside Pulisic with four huge assists in 20 games for Juve and his played is often praised by Juve fans and members of the Italian sports media. As long as he continues to perform the way, he has over the last several months and Christian Pulisic continues to perform the way he has with AC Milan, then the United States could arguably find themselves with two of the best players in the world, playing their club football in Italy.