Mauricio Pochettino Celebrates Weston McKennie’s Versatility, March Roster Selection
On March 31 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga., the U.S. Men’s National Team faces Portugal, the same opponent McKennie scored his first international goal
Weston McKennie is one of the highlights on the 27-player roster for U.S. Men’s National Team head coach Mauricio Pochettino ahead of back-to-back matches at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Ga. against ninth-ranked Belgium on March 28 and sixth-ranked Portugal on March 31.
After missing November training camp with the U.S., the midfielder returns to the fray while having a terrific season for his club, Juventus. McKennie has recorded four goals plus four assists in Serie A this season. He added four goals in the UEFA Champions League, becoming the third Juventus midfielder to score 10 goals in the competition, alongside Ballon d'Or winners Pavel Nedved and Michel Platini.
“It’s true that Juventus is Weston McKennie plus 10 players,” Pochettino said in his press conference. “We’re happy for that because that means that he’s an important player for Juventus. Another thing that I celebrate is that he can play in every single place... he’s playing and he’s playing in different positions. It’s good for him and it’s good for us.”
McKennie has become an important player for Juventus through his high work rate and useful versatility – a facet of his game that Pochettino values. The midfielder has delivered in big moments as well, including scoring a crucial equalizer in the 82nd minute to force extra time against Galatasaray in Champions League.
For his national team, Pochettino said a player of McKennie’s caliber provides balance on the pitch.
“That is good to have this capacity from the player to adapt to different positions,” Pochettino said. “That is always good for the coaching staff.”
These two upcoming matches for the U.S. are the last ones before Pochettino selects his 26-player roster for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup. A member of the 2022 FIFA World Cup roster, McKennie’s 62 caps are the third-most of any player in March camp, trailing only forward Christian Pulisic (82) and center back Tim Ream (79).
In this window, McKennie will have the chance to face a side that he met in his memorable debut. The former U-17 and U-20 youth national standout earned his first cap with the senior team on Nov. 14, 2017. In that match, the USMNT and third-ranked Portugal played to a 1-1 draw in Leiria, Portugal, thanks to 19-year-old McKennie, who scored the opening goal just 20 minutes into his first cap.
Now 27 years old, McKennie will have the chance to contribute, and repeat history, in the final USMNT match before Pochettino selects the roster for the 2026 FIFA Men’s World Cup.