U.S. Midfielder Weston McKennie Calls for ‘Nastiness’ Ahead of Nations League Semifinal
CARSON, Calif. — As the United States men’s national soccer team gears up for the Concacaf Nations League semifinal against Panama this Thursday, there’s a palpable sense of determination in the air. The U.S. team is not just aiming to clinch the Nations League title for the fourth consecutive time, but also to settle the score after last summer’s 2-1 defeat to Panama at the Copa América.
However, according to U.S. midfielder Weston McKennie, the focus isn’t on revenge. Speaking to reporters before Thursday’s practice session, McKennie emphasized that the team has moved past the Copa América loss. “I think we’ve gotten past that,” McKennie stated. “I think we just want to hold no emotions and negative energy against it, so hopefully, we go on the field and we treat it like another game and any other game we want to win.”
McKennie also highlighted the importance of bringing some “nastiness” to their game, a quality he believes has been missing. “I think it’s about time that our team starts doing that,” he said, referring to the grit and determination often seen in South American teams. This sentiment is echoed by U.S. winger Christian Pulisic, who added, “I guess just ingraining that into our identity, a little bit of nastiness, a little bit of that extra bite to us is really important.”
Adjusting to Pochettino’s Style
With Mauricio Pochettino at the helm for six months now, the U.S. team is gradually adapting to his methods. McKennie noted, “I think we all know what [Pochettino] wants. I think obviously knowing him, he brings a bit of that South American vibe into the group and that grittiness and makes it known to us that football’s not always about being beautiful. It’s also about the grit, the desire, the nastiness that you put into the game as well.”
This approach seems to be resonating with the players, as they prepare to face a Panama side that has historically been a tough opponent. Panama not only defeated the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier back in 2021 but also edged them out on penalty kicks in the semifinals of the 2023 Gold Cup.
Challenges Ahead
Pulisic is well aware of the challenge that lies ahead. “They have a lot of ability, a lot of strong players,” he said of Panama. “So for us we need to put on a really, really strong performance if we want to have a chance to win.”
- The U.S. aims to win the Nations League for the fourth straight time.
- Panama defeated the U.S. 2-1 at last summer’s Copa América.
- Panama also beat the U.S. in a World Cup qualifier in 2021 and in the 2023 Gold Cup semifinals.
As the U.S. team prepares for this crucial match, the emphasis is on channeling their energy into a strong, gritty performance. With Pochettino’s influence and the players’ determination to incorporate a bit of “nastiness” into their game, the stage is set for an intense showdown against Panama.
Originally Written by: Jeff Carlisle
