On This Day in 2021, the Midfielder Lashed Home His Fourth Serie A Goal, Surpassing Bradley for Most by an American
When Weston McKennie joined Juventus on loan from Schalke 04 in August 2020, he made history as the first American to don the famous black and white stripes of the Italian giants and he became just the fifth U.S. player to feature in Serie A. Wearing the number 14 shirt, McKennie wasted no time making his mark in Turin. His early performances showcased the versatility and energy that would quickly endear him to the Juventus faithful.
The American's first goal for the Bianconeri came dramatically during the Derby della Mole against city rivals Torino on December 5, when he netted a crucial equalizer in an eventual 2-1 victory. Just three days later, McKennie produced a moment of magic in the Champions League, scoring a spectacular scissor kick volley against Barcelona in a 3-0 win that secured top spot in their group. The new year brought continued success, as McKennie scored against AC Milan in a 3-1 victory on January 6, 2021, helping end the league leaders' 27-game unbeaten run.
On February 22, McKennie added another chapter to his growing legacy in Italian football. With Juventus already leading Crotone 2-0 thanks to a Cristiano Ronaldo brace, the American midfielder struck in the 66th minute. After Federico Chiesa delivered a cross into the box, McKennie showed excellent control before rifling the ball into the roof of the net. The goal was his fourth in Serie A, making him the highest-scoring American in the league's history, surpassing Michael Bradley's previous record of three goals during his time with Chievo and AS Roma.
True to his character, McKennie celebrated the historic moment with the Harry Potter celebration, pretending to cast a spell with an imaginary wand – a nod to his love of Harry Potter, complete with a tattoo to prove his devotion to the magical series. "I am actually a big Harry Potter fan," McKennie had explained to DAZN after a goal against Bologna a month earlier. "I have a tattoo on my hand, so it was a magic spell."
The 3-0 victory was crucial for Juventus, snapping a three-match winless run and moving them up to third place in the Serie A standings, eight points behind leaders Inter Milan with a game in hand. For McKennie, it was another milestone in what was proving to be a remarkable debut season in Italian football, as he continued establishing himself as a key figure in Andrea Pirlo's squad. His impressive performances and consistent impact led Juventus to trigger his purchase option early, and on March 3, secure his services permanently for €18.5 million plus potential bonuses.
No comments:
Post a Comment