Mauricio Pochettino: Juventus is Weston McKennie plus 10 players

The Juventus star’s historic European form and tactical flexibility have made him the focal point of the American roster ahead of high-profile March friendlies in Atlanta

As the United States Men’s National Team prepare for a high-stakes residency at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, coach Mauricio Pochettino has signalled that the tactical identity of his squad centres on one specific individual.

While the upcoming matches against Belgium on March 28 and Portugal three days late serve as critical benchmarks for the team, the narrative surrounding the camp has been dominated by the return of Weston McKennie.

Pochettino’s admiration for McKennie’s current trajectory was the centrepiece of his recent press conference, where he described the Texan as a foundational element of his European club.

“It’s true that Juventus is Weston McKennie plus 10 players,” Pochettino told reporters, emphasizing the weight the American carries in Turin. “We’re happy for that because that means that he’s an important player for Juventus.”

This endorsement follows a season where McKennie has not only provided four goals and four assists in domestic league play but has also reached a rare milestone on the continental stage.

By scoring four times in the Champions League this season, McKennie became only the third midfielder in the history of Juventus to reach ten goals in that competition, joining the elite company of Ballon d’Or winners Michel Platini and Pavel Nedved.

Versatility as a strategic tool for elite competition

For Pochettino, the ability to deploy a player across various tactical setups is a luxury that simplifies the complexities of international coaching.

The former Tottenham Hotspur boss highlighted that McKennie’s comfort level in different zones of the pitch allows the USMNT to maintain balance even when shifting formations mid-match.

“Another thing that I celebrate is that he can play in every single place… he’s playing and he’s playing in different positions. It’s good for him and it’s good for us,” Pochettino explained.

Meanwhile, McKennie has observed a psychological transformation within the locker room since the new coach’s arrival.

In an interview with CBS Sports back in December, the midfielder reflected on how the team’s identity has evolved under Pochettino’s leadership, noting a return to a more aggressive style of play.

“I think honestly, [he] put the, kind of, savageness back into the team, that South American feeling, which is obviously going into tackles hard, not caring who you’re playing against, maybe a little bit of dirtiness, I guess you could say, without contradicting the sport itself, but a little bit of dirtiness in the game and that grittiness that the USA is always known for,” McKennie said.