Profile
Weston
McKennie
- Position Midfielder
- Number 8
- Date of Birth Aug 28 1998
- Hometown Little Elm, TX
- Height 6' 0"
- Club Juventus (Italy)
It took little time for Weston McKennie to announce his presence with the MNT, scoring in his senior international debut in a 1-1 draw against reigning European champions Portugal on Nov. 14, 2017. Having made inroads with German Bundesliga side Schalke just months before, McKennie went on to help Die Knappen to a second-place finish in 2017-18 and has gone on to become a mainstay, while showing an ability to play all over the field for the club. After showing plenty of glimpses of his ability early on, McKennie will be looked to as an integral player for both club and country moving forward.
Mr.
Worldwide
Though born in the U.S., McKennie found soccer thanks to his father taking up a military post at Ramstein Air Base near Kaiserslautern, Germany. Looking to stay out of trouble and emulate his older brother, five-year-old McKennie would go to the school across the street from the family home to play soccer, and though he was youngest player, showed innate ability early on. While playing at the school, he was seen by a young coach named David Müller who invited the youngster to play for his team on the weekend. In his first game, McKennie scored eight goals. Shortly after, he moved up two age groups and his team didn't lose a game until it was time for the McKennie family to move on to its next post.
Weston was the kind of kid who could [take responsibility]. He was good enough to score or decide a game in our favor.David Müller, McKennie's first coach
The Time He Met Landon and Boca
During his formative years in Germany, McKennie reveled in the opportunities afforded to him. His location even presented him with the chance to meet U.S. Men’s National Team stalwarts Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan as the team swung through Kaiserslautern for a friendly against Poland in 2006, when he was just seven years old. Donovan signed McKennie’s cleats and sparked the possibility that he too could play for the U.S. Men’s National Team one day. Eleven years later, he did just that.
Mr.
Worldwide
Though born in the U.S., McKennie found soccer thanks to his father taking up a military post at Ramstein Air Base near Kaiserslautern, Germany. Looking to stay out of trouble and emulate his older brother, five-year-old McKennie would go to the school across the street from the family home to play soccer, and though he was youngest player, showed innate ability early on. While playing at the school, he was seen by a young coach named David Müller who invited the youngster to play for his team on the weekend. In his first game, McKennie scored eight goals. Shortly after, he moved up two age groups and his team didn't lose a game until it was time for the McKennie family to move on to its next post.
The Time He Met Landon and Boca
During his formative years in Germany, McKennie reveled in the opportunities afforded to him. His location even presented him with the chance to meet U.S. Men’s National Team stalwarts Carlos Bocanegra and Landon Donovan as the team swung through Kaiserslautern for a friendly against Poland in 2006, when he was just seven years old. Donovan signed McKennie’s cleats and sparked the possibility that he too could play for the U.S. Men’s National Team one day. Eleven years later, he did just that.
The Personal Side
When he moved back to the United States, McKennie played both soccer and American football, sometimes squeezing in games from both disciplines on the same day. Having come up in the U.S. Youth National Team setup, McKennie has long-lasting friendships with current MNT teammates Christian Pulisic and Tyler Adams. A fluent German speaker, McKennie also likes to listen to and perform music, play with his dog and is a big fan of Harry Potter.
Weston was the kind of kid who could [take responsibility]. He was good enough to score or decide a game in our favor.David Müller, McKennie's first coach
Stories
U. S. MNT