Weston McKennie Hands Juventus Champions League -advantage with spectacular strike

On By Littum

Weston McKennie’s spectacular strike from the first half helped Juventus get a crucial 2-1 victory in the first stage of his Champions League playoffs against PSV on Tuesday.

Usmnt -midtban player crushed the ball home from the edge of the penalty area in the 34th minute to put his team ahead as it offers to reach the round of 16 for the first time in three seasons.

The goal was McKennie’s third in his last eight games as well as his seventh career goals in the Champions League (six with Juventus, one with Schalke). It was also his third goal with the current rate that had previously scored in the league against PSV in September and memorable against Manchester City in December.

McKennie ran a late run on a main cross at the top of the box and connected with a crisp low volley that sent the ball rising all the way into the net.

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US HIGHLIGHT:

Ivan Perisic pulled things at a level ten minutes into the second half and embedded a low strike under Juventus goalkeeper Michele di Gregorio. Juventus replacement Samuel Mbangula put the game away in the 82nd minute to give the hosts a narrow advantage before next week’s conclusion.

McKennie left the match after 68 minutes and probably rested him a little ahead of a decisive visit from Inter in Serie A on Sunday.

Two other players in Tuesday’s first legs are unpublished and each started for their team on the right back. Tim Weah got nodded to Juventus, threatened the PSV defense with frequent crosses and skilled dribbling up the flank. Weah made the game’s first real scoring threat in the opening minute, forcing PSV goalkeeper Walter Benítez to pair the ball away with a dive.

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Weah also gave the first clear chance of the second half, avoiding several PSV defenders as he dribbled through the attacking half and loop a cross to Mbangula, which forced Benítez into a rescue. Weah took a speculative strike of his own a few minutes later, where he had a try between a couple of PSV defenders, but hardly caused Benítez to work for a rescue.

His opposite number, Richy Ledzma, started his third start on the PSV’s Champions League campaign, after also being in the lineup as these two sides started their league against each other. Both teams prioritized operating the opposite flank from Ledzma and left the once -uncovered US international to put together a more undescribed shift.

Still, both men’s continued run-out on the right back could give Mauricio Pochettino alternatives to regard as USMNT and PSV waiting for Sergiño Hem. The 24-year-old has not played since torn its ACL in April 2024, leaving the United States particularly thin in this position. WEAH is usually started for USMNT to the right wing, but may be a timely alternative if it is unable to play in March resumption of Concacaf Nations League.

PSV was also without two of its other star Americans. Malik Tillman (ankle) and Ricardo Pepi (knee) are both out in the long term, with the latter recently excluding the Theremaighterof season in the middle of a burning form of shape.

(Topfoto: Valerio Pennicino/Getty Images)