Weston McKennie played in the waning minutes of the win over Morocco. (Katie Stratman-USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis
FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

It’s literally one step at a time for Weston McKennie.

The talented U.S. men’s national team midfielder, who has only two matches under his belt as a substitute since returning from a broken foot, will start and play a maximum of 45 minutes against Uruguay on Sunday.

U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter doesn’t want to push it in the friendly at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas.

“Forty-five, max,” Berhalter said as he announced his Starting XI during a Saturday afternoon Zoom call with the media. “And it was conversations with him, with the medical staff, with everyone. He’s at a point now where I think he can start the game. Again, limiting his minutes to 45 and going from there.

“But I’m really anxious to see how we can do. I’m a little bit cautious because there is in the back of your mind there is that a little bit of concern. It’s going to be a competitive game, and there’s no one you’d rather have out there at the Weston.”

McKennie suffered the injury in the 1-1 draw against Villarreal on Feb. 22 in the UEFA Champions League. That forced him to miss the U.S.’s final three World Cup qualifiers in March.

He returned to Juventus in its season-ending 2-1 loss at Fiorentina on May 21.

The FC Dallas product replaced Brenden Aaronson in the 72nd minute of the 3-0 win over Morocco on Wednesday night.

Berhalter told the media his Starting XI:

Goalkeeper – Sean Johnson

Defenders – DeAndre Yedlin, Aaron Long, Walker Zimmerman, Antonee Robinson (if he isn’t ready, Joe Scally will startt)

Midfielders – Tyler Adams, Yunus Musah, Weston McKennie

Forwards – Christian Pulisic, Jesus Ferreira, Tim Weah

 

 

FrontRowSoccer.com editor Michael Lewis has written a new book, ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. You can learn more about it or purchase it here:

www.Rochesterlancersbook.com

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.