Some pretended to be shocked when the news hit the ground that the United States men’s national soccer team had suspended Weston McKennie from participating in the team’s World Cup qualifying game against Canada this Sunday.
The reason to do so, as the official report suggests, is that McKennie was allegedly involved in a “violation of team policy”. Having realised his mistakes and felt guilty of the charges thrown at him, McKennie, 23, was found pledging for an apology on his Instagram account, where he regretfully wrote (via Goal):
"“Unfortunately, I am suspended for tonight’s match due to a violation of team Covid protocols. I am sorry for my actions, I will be cheering hard for the boys tonight and hope to be back with the team soon.”"
The U.S. men’s team took the field against Canada this Sunday, but there was no sign of the Juventus midfielder for obvious reasons. RB Salzburg midfielder Brenden Aaronson, 20, opened the scoreline for the hosts, but Cyle Larin’s equaliser just eight minutes after the first goal saw the spoils being shared between the two sides.
The U.S. next play against Honduras on 8th September in their ongoing run for securing the Qatar 2022 World Cup qualification. Will McKennie be included in the team to face Honduras? Unfortunately, the answer to the question is yet to be known. But one thing is clear from the whole upheaval that the situation is poised to leave ramifications behind, which would ultimately be severe for both Juventus and the individual in question, Weston McKennie.
Why has McKennie been suspended?
A report from Mirko Nicolino suggests that U.S. men’s football team head coach, Gregg Berhalter, punished McKennie for not wearing the face mask while signing some autographs among the fans after getting off the team bus ahead of their first World Cup qualifying game in the current international window against El Salvador last week.
#McKennie scende dal pullman senza mascherina e, a differenza dei suoi compagni, si ferma per concedere autografi ai tifosi. Sarebbe questa la "violazione", risalente a qualche giorno fa, per cui il centrocampista texano della #Juventus è stato messo in punizione dal CT USA pic.twitter.com/fsniJaq9NZ
— Mirko Nicolino (@mirkonicolino) September 6, 2021
The fact that he was punished for “violating” the COVID-19 protocols and not wearing the mask in public could be seen as a farce. But, as a professional, it was, to some extent, his duty to make sure that he was not toying with everyone else’s safety amid these critical situations. Especially when each of his teammates was following the obligations set in action, the 23-year-old midfielder should’ve been more aware and worn the face mask to cover his face.
Although the aforementioned reason for the suspension remains officially unconfirmed, former international player Landon Donovan chastised the midfielder and claimed that he knew why McKennie had been punished, declaring further that he is “extremely disappointed” in the 22-year-old for what he had done.
Donovan, speaking on the Futbol with Grant Wahl podcast, said: “The level of selfishness in that moment is beyond me.
“It’s almost beyond repair,” he added regarding McKennie.
So, how is this not good for Juventus?
This is not the first time McKennie has been rightly charged for violating the COVID-19 protocols. Signed for Schalke 04 last season on a season-long loan — which was made permanent this summer, West McKennie was reported to have illegitimately hosted a dinner party in Italy with between 10 and 20 individuals being invited amid the pandemic situation back in April 2021.
McKennie was not the only one to face the penalty — fines and suspension from the Derby della Mole against Torino — from the club, as Paulo Dybala and Arthur Melo were also alleged to have attended the dinner party back then. Even though all three players were found guilty, McKennie — being the host of the party — was more blameworthy than others. Lack of professionalism was mirrored in the player’s actions.
McKennie is touted to be one of the best young players in the current scenario enveloping the United States men’s football and its future. However, it has not been a perfect start to his league campaign at Juventus.
Following the transfer window where the Bianconeri were reportedly looking to offload McKennie, the Texas-born outlet has amassed just 45 minutes in Serie A 2021/22. He started the game against Empoli last time. But after an unconvincing outing, he got substituted at almost the halfway mark of the game, making space for the incoming Alvaro Morata.
We do not intend to put pressure of any kind on him, but McKennie, for once, needs to look in the mirror. For years, Juventus have been the club that exemplifies sheer professionalism. He should not make his off-field antics endanger his professional career.
He has recently turned 23. At the end of the day, he needs to move on. At such young age, he should try to avoid this sort of negative limelight as much as possible.