McKennie keeps having to fight to keep his spot wi...

playIs Weston McKennie USMNT's most important player? (2:58)The 'Futbol Americas' crew debate who is USMNT's most important player going into the 2026 FIFA World Cup. (2:58) It has become something of an annual ritual for Weston McKennie. Every year, he reports to Juventus for preseason, where there is usually a new manager -- and said manager arrives with a healthy skepticism about the American midfielder's game. Perhaps the club's books need some balancing, or there's a new prospect who the manager thinks will supplant the American. Perhaps some old off-field missteps from McKennie result in the manager's reservations taking further root. But rather than fold, McKennie delivers. Every time. "I feel like I'm kind of used to it throughout my career, not just at Juventus," McKennie told ESPN about the doubts that surround him during at a promotional event for Truly Hard Seltzer. "I think just throughout [my career], even in my youth, I've had that. So, I feel like I'm pretty comfortable in that position and I know how to get out of that position." This season, McKennie has done far better than simply "get out of that position." By just about any measure, he is having a dream season with the Italian giants, and that also bodes well for the U.S. men's national team at this summer's World Cup. McKennie's 15 goal contributions for Juventus in all competitions have obliterated his previous season high of 10, set in 2023-24. That current mark is also second on the team, trailing only the 20 contributions by Kenan Yildiz, an attacking midfielder. McKennie's versatility has been vital to Juve as well -- he has played just about every position on the field, except center back and goalkeeper. Perhaps most impressive of all, though, is how he has earned the trust of Juve manager Luciano Spalletti, resulting in McKennie signing a new four-year contract, and putting the U.S. international in a good state of mind ahead of the World Cup. "It's a strong person who makes a strong footballer," Spalletti told reporters earlier this year. "McKennie has this attitude, this way of meeting you halfway, like he's saying: 'You ask, I'll do.' He starts and becomes effective. "You can tell he faced his fears when he was young because to become brave, you have to face what scares you. He tries plays that wouldn't normally be a part of his repertoire, but he still tries them." McKennie's U.S. teammates also have noticed, though the overriding emotion is more comfort than surprise. They know that when the whistle blows this summer at the World Cup, McKennie's form means they can rely on him to raise his game to the level needed, and he can even pull the team along with him. "Weston is just someone that you can never count out," U.S. teammate Christian Pulisic told ESPN during a promotional event for Degree. "I mean, there's always talk about Weston, even when he was not sure if he was going to go back to Juventus or whatnot. But then he comes back and he quietly plays and does his thing and everyone sees how good he is. "I mean, that's just Weston. I never really doubt him. We all know what he can do, what kind of person he is. So it just doesn't surprise me. It's impressive, but at the same time, knowing him, it just doesn't surprise." Weston McKennie has long been one of the best players for the U.S., but he also has been one of Juventus' best players recently. Shaun Clark/ISI Photos/ISI Photos via Getty ImagesPulisic doesn't doubt McKennie, but plenty of coaches have. In fact, just about every manager who took the helm of Juve since the Little Elm, Texas, native joined the club in 2020 has at some point wanted to get rid of him. Under Massimiliano Allegri, McKennie was sent out on loan to Leeds United in early 2023, where he became a lightning rod for fans in Leeds' ultimately doomed bid to avoid relegation. When McKennie returned for preseason later that year, he found he'd lost his locker and his parking spot. The following season he was told by then-manager Thiago Motta that he wouldn't be needed. The year after that, Igor Tudor was less skeptical but still had his share of critiques about the American player. McKennie eventually won over all of them, an outcome to which the 27-year-old has long been accustomed. "That's life in general," he said. "You have to continuously try to prove yourself and show why you need to be there or why they should have you there. So, I don't always see it as a bad thing. I think it is what it is. That comes with the territory, it comes with a job and competitive sport." As for how a player of McKennie's talent and background continually finds himself in such a position, there are reasons for some of the misgivings. Probably the biggest factor is that at times he has shown a lack discipline off the field. In 2021, he was fined and faced sanctions by Juventus after he hosted a party with two teammates in violation of COVID-19 protocols. Later that year, he was suspended by U.S. coach

McKennie keeps having to fight to keep his spot wi...

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