On This Day in 2024, the American Midfielder Delivered a Masterclass Strike in Juventus' Champions League Victory
Weston McKennie and Timothy Weah entered December 2024 as key figures in Juventus' resurgence under manager Thiago Motta. After extending his contract through 2026 in August, McKennie had quickly become indispensable in the Bianconeri midfield, contributing both defensively and in attack. The Texas native opened his Champions League account with a goal against PSV in September and provided two assists in a thrilling 4-4 draw with Inter Milan in late October.
Weah, meanwhile, had overcome early-season injury troubles to establish himself as a dynamic attacking option, scoring in the season opener against Como and finding the net in both the Inter clash and a 2-2 draw with Parma on October 30. That Parma match saw both Americans on the scoresheet, with McKennie netting and Weah adding a goal and assist—a preview of the connection that would define their biggest moment together.
Juventus had endured a frustrating domestic campaign, drawing an alarming number of matches in Serie A while remaining unbeaten. But in Europe, the Old Lady was finding her stride. Their December 11 clash with Manchester City at the Allianz Stadium represented a golden opportunity against an opponent mired in crisis, having won just once in their previous ten matches across all competitions.
The match itself was a tense, tactical battle befitting Italian football. City dominated possession and pushed forward desperately, particularly after Dusan Vlahovic broke the deadlock eight minutes into the second half with a close-range header that barely crossed the line. Pep Guardiola's side had squandered chances throughout—most notably when Erling Haaland attempted a delicate chip over Michele Di Gregorio in the first half, only to see the Italian goalkeeper deny him with an outstretched arm. As City threw numbers forward in search of an equalizer, they left themselves vulnerable on the counter.
In the 75th minute, Juventus capitalized brilliantly. Weah, who had entered as a substitute, received the ball wide and whipped in a cross. McKennie, arriving at pace, met the delivery with perfect technique and unleashed a spectacular volley past Ederson to seal the 2-0 victory. The goal marked the first time in Champions League history that an American had assisted another American—a moment of pride crafted in New York and finished in Texas.
The significance of McKennie's strike extended far beyond the scoreline. For Juventus, sitting 14th in the Champions League table with two matches remaining, the three points were crucial in their pursuit of a top-eight finish and automatic advancement to the knockout rounds. For Manchester City, the defeat dropped them to a perilous 22nd position, just three places above elimination from the competition entirely. Since early November, Guardiola's team had conceded more goals than any side in Europe's top five leagues—a stunning collapse for the reigning champions.
"The whole team played an excellent match, we prepared well and did everything what we had to do," Vlahovic said afterward. "The result is amazing and can give us a great boost for the rest of the season." For the USMNT contingent, the victory represented another step forward in what was shaping up to be a record-breaking Champions League campaign. American players had already made 51 appearances in the competition that season—the most ever in a single campaign—and with the knockout rounds still to come, the momentum was building toward the 2026 World Cup on home soil.
McKennie and Weah would have little time to celebrate their all-American moment. Juventus faced a crucial Serie A fixture against Bologna just four days later, as they sought to turn their draw-heavy domestic form into victories and close a seven-point gap to league leaders Napoli. In the Champions League, their next test would come on January 21 with a trip to Brugge, where they hoped to secure their place in the knockout stages. For two Americans who had grown up dreaming of European glory, the path forward was clear: keep scoring, keep creating, and keep proving that USMNT players belong among the continent's elite.
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