SouthernWorldwide.com – While Christian Pulisic is widely recognized as “Captain America” for the U.S. soccer team, there’s a growing argument that his teammate, Weston McKennie, is the true “most important player.”
This discussion comes as Pulisic faces scrutiny over a dip in form and questions about his on-field demeanor. FOX Sports analysts, including former U.S. players Stu Holden, Alexi Lalas, and Maurice Edu, have been debating whether McKennie’s presence in the midfield is the vital force for the team.
McKennie is enjoying a career-defining season with Juventus. His exceptional performance has earned him the No. 72 spot in FOX Sports’ ranking of the top 100 World Cup players.
After periods of uncertainty and being overlooked by various coaches, the midfielder from Little Elm, Texas, has firmly established himself at Juventus. He recently extended his contract, securing his position with the club until June 30, 2030.
The Evolution Of A ‘Gamer’
Stu Holden highlights McKennie’s transformation from a purely defensive player to a significant offensive threat. Holden notes that despite past criticisms, McKennie’s recent contract extension with Juventus and his demonstrated ability to score goals and provide assists prove his value.
“We talk about it so often, people write the guy off,” Holden stated. “Coaches come in, they don’t play him. … No, the guy just signed a brand-new contract at Juventus. He’s showing he can score goals and create assists. He’s a gamer.”
Maurice Edu echoes this sentiment, observing that the debate around McKennie’s best position has evolved. The focus has shifted from whether he’s a “number eight” or a more advanced attacker to his overall importance to the U.S. team. This versatility, Edu argues, places McKennie above Pulisic, who is ranked No. 78.
“He’s an asset to this team, and to me, he’s growing into being probably the most important player on this team,” Edu said. “Now, [Pulisic] is obviously the star. He is a difference maker when we’re talking about scoring goals, winning games, advancing to that next stage. But, Weston kind of brings this whole group together.”
Holden, emphasizing his strong conviction, interjected to assert that McKennie is not just “probably” the most important player, but definitively “is the most important player.”
A Team Ready To Make Noise
As the United States prepares to co-host the World Cup, Alexi Lalas believes the tournament will be a significant introduction for many casual American fans to the sport. He suggests that McKennie’s personality might be more captivating to this audience than Pulisic’s.
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The mental fortitude of the players has also become a topic of discussion. Lalas contrasts McKennie’s energetic presence with Pulisic’s perceived sensitivity, as described by his club coach.
“Nobody is ever going to call Weston McKennie sensitive in the best possible way,” Lalas remarked.
Better Than The Rest?
Lalas went further, boldly asserting that McKennie’s current form surpasses that of some of the world’s most celebrated players. He specifically mentioned AC Milan’s Rafael Leão, who is ranked No. 71, and stated that McKennie is better than him and all players within that particular group of five.
“I do agree that Weston McKennie is better than Leão,” Lalas declared. “I think he’s better than all of the players in this group of five.”
The U.S. team will participate in warm-up matches against Senegal on May 31 and Germany on June 6. Their World Cup campaign kicks off against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.
Following this, the Stars and Stripes will travel to Seattle to face Australia on June 19, before concluding the group stage back in Los Angeles against Türkiye on June 25.
2026 FIFA World Cup: How To Watch
The 2026 FIFA World Cup will take place from June 11 to July 19. The tournament, hosted across three countries, will conclude with the final on July 19 at the New York New Jersey Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.
All 104 matches will be broadcast live on FOX and FS1, with every game also available for streaming live and on-demand via the FOX One app and the FOX Sports app. A record 40 matches will be aired in prime time, split between FOX (21) and FS1 (19).
The opening match on June 11 between Mexico and South Africa will be streamed for free on Tubi, as will the U.S. team’s opening match against Paraguay on June 12.
