USMNT star warned fitness and focus could derail career-defining World Cup

Weston McKennie has been told he must keep his focus at the World Cup or risk blowing a chance to prove he’s a legitimate star on the big stage.

The United States midfielder is coming off the back of the most productive season of his career, scoring nine goals and getting eight assists in 48 games with Juventus.

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His ill-fated loan spell at Leeds United in 2022/23 has somewhat tainted a career that saw him star at Schalke before earning his move to Turin.

Weston McKennie’s weight loss

Now a key star for the Bianconeri, McKennie has reaped the rewards of a new training regime last summer that saw him shed eight kilograms (1.25 stones).

Then-coach Igor Tudor told the 27-year-old he needed to get healthier to cope with the rigours of football in his peak years.

He said: “I had a long preseason, my coach back at Juventus really put pressure on me and said, ‘Hey, you‘re getting older, and your body is not going to be able to bounce back from games the way you used to be able to. You need to cut down some weight, and that‘s the only way you‘re going to be involved in this team’.

“I put my head down, worked like I usually do, got on a diet, don‘t snack as much as I used to anymore… I work out more often… a lot of running.

“This summer was the first summer I didn’t mind taking my shirt off at the pool!”

McKennie later told Sports Illustrated that Vita Coco had played a role in his weight loss.

He added: “During preseason this year, we had a huge meeting about the recovery process and making sure that we are up to par with every training session… we run like five, six, seven, eight kilometers every other day in training.

“Vita Coco has so many different aspects that help with that whole process, especially in recovery. I trained a lot in the heat. I used sweat cream, a hoodie, a jacket, everything to sweat out and help lose weight.

“This summer I lost probably eight kilos (17.6 pounds) while drinking Vita Coco at the same time because I don’t want to put so many fluids into my body that put weight back on, so I try to replenish myself and give my body the best chance to cut that weight, stay hydrated and on par with training sessions that I do.

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“It’s a big help for me … the partnership was also good because they play a big part in me and my foundation.”

United States’ next generation

His adaptability will make him a vital star for current United States manager Mauricio Pochettino, who will attempt to take the hosts deep into the World Cup.

Former USMNT goalkeeper Brad Friedel, though, believes McKennie must maintain this focus and fitness, at a time when distractions will be at an all-time high, to capitalise on his season with Juventus and his natural talent.

“We haven’t had the golden generation yet because we don’t have the best athletes in the country,” Friedel told talkSPORT’s White and Jordan when discussing the players at Pochettino’s disposal this summer.

“It’s a very similar batch that we had in 2002, a very similar batch to what we had in 98. You could argue that Eric Wynalda is one of our best strikers and better than or as good as Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi.

“Tab Ramos is still, in my opinion, probably the best US player ever to play the game.

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“But then Eddie Pope and Chris Richards. Eddie Pope was probably the best centre-back, but Chris Richards could prove that he’s the best in this World Cup. Antonee Robinson is definitely the best left-back we’ve ever had in the US national team.

“But then Tyler Adams, is he better than Jermaine Jones? Probably, I don’t know. Probably. Maybe, maybe not, but it’s a bit similar.

“But we have good players. Christian Pulisic. He needs to have a good tournament for us to be successful.

“Tim Weah, whether he comes off the bench or whether he starts, could have an impact. Haji Wright could have an impact.

“Weston McKennie, I think is currently the best all-round footballer that we have in the team now.

“Weston McKennie didn’t show it when he was at Leeds, but he has at Juventus.

“Weston’s issue is being focused and being fit, and because he likes to burn the candle at both ends. So it’s important that he’s fully focused.”