Weston McKennie & Tim Weah: Juve Exit Sparks Doubts

Weston McKennie and fellow American Tim Weah left Saudi Arabia with more questions than minutes after Juventus’ 1-0 loss to Real Madrid in the FIFA Club World Cup round of 16. For a tournament billed as a global showcase, the U.S. men’s national team duo finished as footnotes rather than headline acts.

Weston McKennie still central—or slipping?

McKennie arrived in Riyadh fresh off captaining Juventus in two group matches, yet Igor Tudor left him on the bench until the 86th minute against Madrid. The Texan’s four-minute cameo felt symbolic: valued enough to keep, but not trusted to change a knockout tie. Across the competition he logged 222 of a possible 360 minutes, a respectable haul on paper, but the decisive stages passed him by.

Statistically, McKennie completed 88 percent of his passes, won 60 percent of his duels and led Juve midfielders in interceptions per 90. The numbers suggest reliability; the eye test hinted at caution. When the game slowed, he recycled possession neatly. When it quickened, he rarely broke Madrid’s lines. With Manuel Locatelli entrenched at the base and rising star Nicolò Fagioli returning from suspension next season, McKennie’s starting spot is anything but guaranteed.

Tim Weah’s vanishing act

If McKennie’s role shrank, Weah’s nearly evaporated. The winger played just 45 minutes all tournament, sitting out entirely versus Madrid. A proposed transfer to Nottingham Forest collapsed during the week, reportedly over wage structure, but his absence felt less tactical and more political. Tudor prefers natural wide men who hug the touchline; Weah drifts inside, almost as an auxiliary striker. The mismatch, combined with contract uncertainty, rendered him a spectator.

Transfer market implications

Juventus need sales to fund a summer rebuild. Weah is valued around €15 million, a modest fee for a 25-year-old with Champions League experience. Premier League interest will return once the window reopens, while Ligue 1 sides have made tentative inquiries. McKennie, under contract until 2027, is a different puzzle. Juve rejected a January loan bid from Aston Villa and remain open to offers above €25 million, but only if they can secure midfield reinforcements first.

Primary focus for USMNT fans

For U.S. supporters counting the months to the 2026 World Cup, Weston McKennie’s club trajectory matters. Regular Serie A minutes against elite opposition sharpen match fitness and tactical nous. A rotational role, by contrast, courts stagnation. Gregg Berhalter will not panic yet—McKennie has 53 caps and remains his midfield lynchpin—but the margin for complacency is thin.

Weah’s situation is trickier. His positional flexibility is an asset for the national team, yet lack of club rhythm has historically undermined his sharpness. Should he remain a fringe figure in Turin, Berhalter may be forced to explore alternatives on the right flank, from Brenden Aaronson to up-and-coming Kevin Paredes.

Juventus’ broader context

The Bianconeri’s early elimination underscores structural flaws. They generated just 0.63 expected goals versus Madrid and conceded territory for long stretches. Federico Chiesa and Dušan Vlahović struggled for service, widening the spotlight on midfield creativity—an area where McKennie could, in theory, contribute more daring forward runs.

The road to 2025-26

Club directors Cristiano Giuntoli and Giovanni Manna have outlined a “leaner, younger, braver” vision. A 4-3-3 built around Fagioli, Kenan Yildiz and Luís Henrique requires dynamic carriers. McKennie fits if he evolves from all-action shuttler to consistent chance-creator. Weah must either convince Tudor he can stretch defenses or seek a system that celebrates his diagonal dribbles rather than curtails them.

Possible scenarios

• Stay and fight: Both Americans accept squad roles, hoping Champions League rotation grants minutes.
• Loan exit: Weah departs for England or France; McKennie remains as depth until January evaluation.
• Double sale: A lucrative Premier League offer tempts Juve to cash in on both, funding a midfield maestro.

Opinion: Opportunity squandered, lesson learned

Juventus’ Club World Cup journey was a missed audition for two high-profile Americans. Weston McKennie showed he belongs at this level, but not yet that he dominates it. Tim Weah, meanwhile, hardly showed at all. Their futures depend on embracing discomfort: push for tactical growth in Turin or pursue environments that trust them fully. Either choice beats watching from the bench while the biggest matches pass them by.