Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic met as 13-year-olds on a bus from a hotel to a training camp in California and have since become mainstays on the U.S. national team. They will face each other as rivals when Pulisic’s AC Milan takes on McKennie’s Juventus in a Serie A match with second place at stake. Both players found success as young American standouts in Europe, struggled in their early 20s, and reemerged in 2023-24 for their best club seasons as 25-year-olds. Pulisic has thrived under coach Stefano Pioli, scoring 10 Serie A goals and 13 overall, while McKennie leads Juventus with seven assists in 30 matches.
Pulisic and McKennie both went through periods of self-doubt but have found success and regained their confidence in recent seasons. Pulisic opened up about battling depression in 2021, while McKennie struggled with a loss of belief in himself before finding his groove under Juventus coach Massimiliano Allegri. Both players spoke of the importance of feeling at home and having a family environment, especially while playing overseas. Pulisic expressed his joy at the trust and confidence he has received from AC Milan and the change in mindset that has helped him thrive.
McKennie and Pulisic shared lighthearted moments during a conference call promoting their upcoming match, talking about missing American snacks in Italy and joking about each other’s habits. McKennie, who was born in Washington and raised in Texas, admitted to still having a fear of elevators and shared a humorous anecdote about jumping out of an elevator when too many people get in. Both players expressed pride in representing the U.S. national team and their excitement for the upcoming Copa América tournament, where they will face tough competition.
The U.S. national team, with Pulisic and McKennie as key players, has shown that it can compete on the international stage and is not to be underestimated. With a young and talented squad, the team reached the second round of the 2022 World Cup in Qatar before being knocked out by the Netherlands. McKennie emphasized the team’s ability to compete and play quality football, while also acknowledging that they may show a grittier side in tournaments like the Copa América, where they will face tough opponents like Bolivia, Panama, and Uruguay. Both players are excited for the challenges ahead and are eager to represent their country on the world stage.
