Preparations for the FIFA World Cup are well underway at U.S. Soccer’s state-of-the-art training facility in Atlanta, Georgia, where Mauricio Pochettino’s Men’s National Team are getting ready for their two warm-up games before the tournament kicks off.
Among those expected to lead the way for the USMNT is Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie, who is fresh off arguably a career year with the Serie A giants under new head coach Luciano Spalletti.
For the 27-year-old, this summer’s tournament, held across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada, represents his second World Cup – something he believes could prove beneficial looking ahead on the ‘Supports Section’ podcast.
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“Having experienced one already, I think it kind of gives you an idea of what it is,” McKennie explained. “I think ultimately as an athlete, as a soccer player, you know the World Cup’s huge. It’s the biggest event in the sport.
“But I think whenever you play in one, and you realize firsthand what it means, I think it’s another feeling.”
What’s more, McKennie said that with this experience and understanding of what to expect, he believes that he and many of his teammates have a better grasp of how to handle the competition, which he clearly believes the USMNT can succeed in.
“The advantages that it gives you if you play in a second one as well, you take it game by game, and you string it together enough good performances and wins together, it’s literally anyone’s tournament,” he claimed.
Pochettino has repeatedly reiterated his belief that the USMNT should be aiming to go the whole nine yards this summer, with his side entering the tournament ranked 16th in the world by FIFA, most recently dropping one spot, with Mexico moving up to 15th.
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And while McKennie seemingly believes that anything is possible, he later explained how he hoped that this summer would leave fans with memories of a team willing to give it their all.
“We do get put into individual groups and individual categories and whatnot, but I think we have the talent and we have the players, but I think one thing that I do hope that we can also string together is just the basic American mentality,” he said.
“I think fighting until the end and not stopping till the whistle blows. I think that’s something that America is known for over all the years and all the past generations.
“And I think if we can put that mentality mixed together with our talent and our group of guys, I think that’s something that will make Americans proud.”
The USMNT has been drawn into Group D, where they will face Paraguay on June 12, Australia on June 19, and finally Türkiye six days later, after which they’ll be hoping to still be in contention come the Round of 32, where they’ll look to win their first knockout stage game since 2002.
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