U.S. men’s national team star Weston McKennie apologized to his teammates for his red card during Thursday’s CONCACAF Nations League semifinal win over Mexico. Here’s what you need to know:
- In a behind-the-scenes video released by the USMNT on Sunday, McKennie is seen apologizing to the locker room for the red card that will keep him out of the Nations League final versus Canada.
- McKennie was sent off in the 71st minute of Thursday’s 3-0 victory for his part in a scuffle that broke out after Mexico’s César Montes kicked Folarin Balogun in a battle for the ball. Montes also received a red card for the tackle.
- The U.S. will also be without defender Sergiño Dest for Sunday’s final. He was ejected in the 86th minute Thursday after a shoving match with Gerardo Arteaga.
What McKennie said
“I just want to say, I’m sure Serge also, sorry from the bottom of our hearts,” McKennie said in the clip at the 8:58 mark. “But like (interim manager B.J. Callaghan) said, we have a solution to everything. This whole f—— team that’s in here, that’s what f—— matters. And I have complete faith in every single last one of you f—— players that we’re going to lift another trophy come the 18th. And then we can celebrate even harder.”
???????????????????????? ???????????? ????????????????????: High pressure. High stakes.
The USMNT tops Mexico to advance and play for hardware in Vegas ???? pic.twitter.com/XerSSrMBeT
— U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team (@USMNT) June 18, 2023
The Athletic’s instant analysis:
Who could fill in for McKennie and Dest?
The red cards to McKennie and Dest are significant for the final considering the defensive responsibilities each plays. Dest is at right back, which is the most important position against a Canadian team that features Alphonso Davies on the left wing. The Dest-Davies match-up is one we have seen before, but now the responsibility to slow the Bayern Munich star will likely fall to 20-year-old Joe Scally.
Scally made the World Cup roster, but did not play. He is, however, a regular starter in the Bundesliga with Borussia Mönchengladbach and he started once against Bayern and Davies this past season, a 1-1 draw in August. He also started against Bayern twice the previous season, including at left back in the season opener in Aug. 2021 and in a 5-0 win in the DFB Pokal in which he lined up across from Davies in Oct. 2021.
Replacing McKennie will be a bit more of a challenge. The most accomplished central midfielder capable of coming off the bench is Luca de la Torre, who plays in Spain with Celta de Vigo. De la Torre started at the No. 6 in March against Grenada, but it’s not his natural position as he’s a more attacking-oriented player. Canada will present more problems on the attacking end, which will in turn ask more of De la Torre if he starts next to Yunus Musah, but Musah played in the deeper role against Mexico and so it makes sense for De la Torre to get the nod. Johnny Cardoso, a 6-foot midfielder who plays in Brazil for Internacional, is probably the most defensive-minded option. The U.S. might also look to Alan Soñora, but he has not played for Juárez in Liga MX since April. — Tenorio
Backstory
The USMNT won its Nations League semifinal clash behind a pair of goals by Christian Pulisic and a third from Ricardo Pepi in the 78th minute vs. Mexico. The U.S. will take on a Canadian squad that beat Panama 2-0 Thursday to reach Sunday’s final, which kicks off at 8:30 p.m. ET.
U.S. Soccer appealed McKennie’s direct red card, but CONCACAF ruled Saturday to uphold the on-field decision and the midfielder’s automatic one-game suspension.
Required reading
(Photo: John Dorton/ USSF/ Getty Images for USSF)
