USMNT Roundup: McKennie, Pulisic & Reyna Face Defining Weeks

USMNT narratives are dominating the football agenda as several American internationals negotiate career-shaping moments at club and international level.

USMNT duo McKennie & Weah battle for relevance at Juventus

Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah entered pre-season with optimism, yet Massimiliano Allegri’s early selections suggest neither is guaranteed a key role. McKennie’s loan return from Leeds United was supposed to reset his Turin journey, but the Texan still finds himself shuffled between midfield and wing-back. Sources around Continassa believe Juve’s hierarchy would listen to offers if a €20 million bid lands before the window closes. Weah, signed last summer as a dynamic right-sided option, has struggled with the tactical demands of Allegri’s conservative 3-5-2. A single league assist in 20 appearances underlines the adaptation issues. With Juve now back in the Champions League, competition from Federico Chiesa out wide and Carlos Alcaraz in midfield means every pre-season minute counts for the Americans.

Numbers that tell the story

• McKennie: 0 goals, 3 assists, 7 yellow cards in Serie A
• Weah: 1.1 key passes per 90, but only 0.2 expected assists
• Juventus: 57 goals scored, second-fewest in Serie A’s top six

Pulisic hits a landmark but must maintain Milan magic

Christian Pulisic needed less than a minute to make an impact when he first donned a USMNT jersey against Guatemala in 2016. Eight years later the winger remains America’s talisman, yet AC Milan’s demanding tifosi are an entirely different audience. Eleven Serie A goals and eight assists in his debut Rossoneri campaign silenced early sceptics, but Stefano Pioli is pushing Pulisic to improve his decision-making in tight central areas. Milan will count on him during their Champions League return, so the Pennsylvanian’s workload management is crucial with Copa América looming in June.

Pulisic’s evolving role

Pioli has alternated between 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1, giving Pulisic freedom to attack half-spaces rather than hugging the touchline. The result: an xG and xA spike that mirrors his 2020 Chelsea form. If that trend continues, a $60 million valuation is realistic—music to RedBird Capital’s ears.

Club World Cup spotlight: Can Reyna & Man City rebound?

Gio Reyna’s late cameo in Borussia Dortmund’s Club World Cup exit felt symbolic. The attacking midfielder was the poster boy of the club’s marketing campaign, yet he logged fewer than 90 tournament minutes. Coach Edin Terzić cites fitness, but insiders point to tactical mistrust and a contract expiring in 2026. With Julian Brandt and Marco Reus ahead of him and BVB reluctant to extend on current terms, a January move was explored. Nottingham Forest and Marseille enquired; Leeds held talks before opting for a winger. A summer transfer now appears inevitable, and Reyna’s next destination could define his place in the USMNT pecking order.

Manchester City’s shock loss at the same tournament raised questions about squad depth rather than philosophy. Pep Guardiola privately believes the CWC format favours pragmatic counter-attacking teams, but he is still disappointed by defensive lapses. City scouts in the United States monitored Brandon Vazquez and John Tolkien, indicating a possible shift toward recruiting MLS talent—an indirect boost for the USMNT talent pool.

Gold Cup & Copa América: opportunity knocks

With the Gold Cup returning to U.S. soil this summer, coach Mauricio Pochettino has an enviable mix of European-honed veterans and emerging MLS standouts. The path to the final appears straightforward on paper—Guatemala, Jamaica and Canada lurk—but previous campaigns remind fans nothing comes easy. Pochettino’s mantra, “Lads, it’s Guatemala,” went viral, yet he knows the Central American side’s low block demands patience and creative movement, precisely where Pulisic thrives.

Looking ahead to Copa América 2028, the USMNT will likely face South American giants earlier than usual because of seeding changes. That reality ups the urgency to solve defensive transition issues exposed during the 3-2 loss to Mexico last month. Fulham’s Tim Ream remains steady, but Chris Richards’ passing range and Miles Robinson’s recovery speed could be the long-term centre-back pairing.

Who else is rising in the USMNT pool?

Kevin Paredes (Wolfsburg)

The Virginia native’s Bundesliga breakthrough—three goals and five assists from wing-back—has Bayern Munich sniffing around. His ability to invert and overload midfield might push Weah further down the depth chart.

Leonard Agyemang (Charlotte FC)

A clever first touch and deceptive acceleration turned the 22-year-old into an MLS revelation. Pochettino used him as a late-game weapon against Costa Rica; expect more minutes in the Gold Cup.

Tyler Adams (Bournemouth)

Finally fit after hamstring surgery, the USMNT captain’s ball-winning stats remain elite. Bournemouth’s relegation fight sharpened his leadership, and Chelsea are monitoring him as a Moisés Caicedo alternative.

Primary focus keyword in action: the USMNT impact on clubs

Every transfer rumour surrounding McKennie, Weah and Reyna carries financial implications for their employers. Juventus face FFP scrutiny and view McKennie’s sale as a shortcut to balance the books. Dortmund know Reyna’s resale value dips the longer he sits, while Milan are evaluating bonus clauses in Pulisic’s deal after surpassing performance thresholds. The USMNT factor—massive North American merchandising potential—makes American players uniquely marketable.

Broadcast & sponsorship ripple effects

Apple’s MLS Season Pass, Turner Sports’ Champions League package and NBC’s Premier League coverage all bank on U.S. players performing abroad. A deeper USMNT run in club competitions boosts viewership and ad revenue. That’s why brands like Nike and Visa are already tailoring summer campaigns around Pulisic and a possible McKennie move to the Premier League.

Reality check: where improvement is still needed

Finishing: Despite an uptick in xG, the national team converted just 11% of its chances in the last five competitive matches.
Defensive width: McKennie drifting forward leaves gaps that top opponents exploit; tactical discipline is a must.
In-game management: Only three comeback wins have been recorded under Pochettino, highlighting a need for mental resilience.

Opinion: A defining crossroads for a golden generation

The USMNT finds itself at a pivotal juncture. The pioneer wave that produced Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan carved a pathway; today’s stars must cement America’s status as a top-15 football nation. McKennie and Weah need consistent minutes or new homes, Reyna requires belief—either in Dortmund or elsewhere—and Pulisic must sustain Champions League-level output. Achieve those objectives and the United States will arrive at the 2026 World Cup not merely as gracious hosts but as legitimate dark horses.