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While star winger Christian Pulisic holds the title of “Captain America” for American soccer, one of his teammates holds the title of “most important player.”
As Pulisic struggles with a dip in form and questions surrounding his on-field attitude, FOX Sports analysts and former USA players Stu Holden, Alexi Lalas and Maurice Edu have questioned whether it is Weston McKennie who really beats the heart of the midfield.
McKennie is coming off what some observers consider to be the most impressive season of his Juventus career, which saw him land at No. 72 in the FOX Sports rankings of the Top 100 World Cup Players.
After years of being written off by various managers and facing uncertain transfer windows, the midfielder from Little Elm, Texas, has cemented his place in Turin. He recently extended his contract with Juventus, signing a new deal that keeps him at the club until June 30, 2030.
The evolution of a “player”
Holden says McKennie is no longer just a defensive workhorse; he has become a versatile offensive threat.
“We talk about it so often that people write this guy off,” Holden noted. “The coaches are coming, they’re not playing him. … No, the guy just signed a brand new contract at Juventus. He’s showing he can score goals and create assists. He’s a player.”
Edu shared a similar sentiment, noting that while there was once debate over McKennie’s best position – whether as a late-arriving “number eight” or as a more advanced striker – the debate has now shifted to his importance to the United States. It’s this versatility that has put McKennie above 78th-ranked Pulisic.
“He is an asset to this team and for me he is becoming probably the most important player on this team,” Edu said. “NOW, [Pulisic] is obviously the star. He makes the difference when it comes to scoring goals, winning matches and taking the next step. But Weston kind of brings this whole group together. »
Holden was quick to try to correct Edu.
“I’ll just add that he’s probably not the most important player,” Holden said of McKennie. “He’s the most important player.”
A team ready to make some noise
As the United States prepares to co-host the World Cup, Lalas believes the tournament will serve as a massive “introduction” to a casual American audience who are about to enter the “soccer tent” for the first time.
Although Pulisic is better known, Lalas suggested that McKennie’s personality might actually be the more magnetic of the two.
Amid the comparison and contrast between the two stars, the mental makeup of the players has become a topic of discussion. Pulisic was recently described as “sensitive” by his own club coach, but Lalas notes that McKennie brings a different energy.
“No one would ever call Weston McKennie sensitive in the best possible way,” Lalas said.
Better than the others?
Lalas didn’t just compare McKennie to his American teammates. In a bold assessment of McKennie’s current level, Lalas placed him above some of the world’s most highly touted stars, including AC Milan’s Rafael Leão (ranked No.71).
“I agree that Weston McKennie is better than Leão,” Lalas said. “I think he’s better than every player in this group of five.”
The United States will play two warm-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6, before the World Cup opener against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
The Stars and Stripes will then travel to Seattle to face Australia on June 19 before closing out the group stage in Los Angeles against Turkey on June 25.
FIFA World Cup 2026: how to watch
The World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19, 2026. Spread across three countries, the tournament will culminate with the final on July 19 at New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey. The 104 matches of the tournament will be broadcast live on FOX (70) and FS1 (34) with every match broadcast live and on demand in both countries. FOX One and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 games, more than a third of the tournament, will be broadcast in prime time on FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The June 11 opening match between Mexico and South Africa (3 p.m. ET) will be broadcast free on Tubias well as the United States’ opening match against Paraguay on June 12 (9 p.m. ET).
