Latest news with #McKennie
Business Recorder
13 hours ago
- Sport
- Business Recorder
Weston McKennie defends USMNT teammates from criticism
A day after Landon Donovan lambasted members of the U.S. men's national team who decided to skip this summer's friendlies and CONCACAF Gold Cup, midfielder Weston McKennie came to the defense of his teammates. Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Yunus Musah are among the USMNT mainstays who aren't with the team, ostensibly to rest after the European season. The national squad is also missing numerous other players due to injury or involvement in the upcoming Club World Cup, where McKennie is set to compete with Juventus. While lauding Cristiano Ronaldo for helping lead Portugal to the UEFA Nations League championship Sunday with a win over Spain, Donovan took a shot at the current USMNT absentees. 'This is what it means to represent your country,' Donovan said, speaking of Ronaldo, on the Fox broadcast. 'This is what it means. And if you don't want to take this as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. This is what it means. '(Ronaldo is) 40 years old. He's played a long-ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process, and I can't help but think about some of our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off.' The U.S. team just took a third consecutive loss, falling 2-1 to Turkey on Saturday in a friendly at East Hartford, Conn. McKennie was asked about Donovan's comments by USA Today Sports on Monday in Italy, where he is in training with Juventus. 'Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team,' McKennie told USA Today. 'None of us want to lose games. All of us want to compete.' McKennie added about Donovan's remarks, 'No names were named. Coming off a long season, a stressful season, obviously, some players feel a different way about it, and some players feel another way. But the comments are comments. Everyone has their own opinions, and that's life, and that's football. 'Obviously, like I said before, none of us take for granted that we get to represent a national team because it's one of the biggest honors that we can have in the sport of football. … 'So, any chance that we get, we want to play. But obviously, if you don't feel like your body is in the right condition, and you don't feel like your body is in the best form or shape or whatever, to be able to do that at 100 percent, and you feel like you're risking injury, then it's better to let someone else go in that is completely 100 percent.' Argentina not overly reliant on Messi, says Scaloni Also on Monday, Mark Pulisic, Christian's father, posted on Instagram a ChatGPT summary of the time when Donovan took a sabbatical from playing in 2012-13 'because he was feeling both physically and mentally exhausted after years of intense competition and the pressure that comes with being a top athlete.' Christian Pulisic 'liked' his father's post.
Hindustan Times
19 hours ago
- Sport
- Hindustan Times
Weston McKennie defends USMNT teammates from criticism
A day after Landon Donovan lambasted members of the U.S. men's national team who decided to skip this summer's friendlies and CONCACAF Gold Cup, midfielder Weston McKennie came to the defense of his teammates. Christian Pulisic, Antonee Robinson and Yunus Musah are among the USMNT mainstays who aren't with the team, ostensibly to rest after the European season. The national squad is also missing numerous other players due to injury or involvement in the upcoming Club World Cup, where McKennie is set to compete with Juventus. While lauding Cristiano Ronaldo for helping lead Portugal to the UEFA Nations League championship Sunday with a win over Spain, Donovan took a shot at the current USMNT absentees. "This is what it means to represent your country," Donovan said, speaking of Ronaldo, on the Fox broadcast. "This is what it means. And if you don't want to take this as a professional soccer player, as someone who gets the opportunity to wear that jersey and take it seriously and responsibly, then don't come in. This is what it means. " 40 years old. He's played a long-ass season. He's tired. He's out there grinding. Hurt himself in the process, and I can't help but think about some of our guys on vacation, not wanting to play in the Gold Cup. It's pissing me off." The U.S. team just took a third consecutive loss, falling 2-1 to Turkey on Saturday in a friendly at East Hartford, Conn. McKennie was asked about Donovan's comments by USA Today Sports on Monday in Italy, where he is in training with Juventus. "Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team," McKennie told USA Today. "None of us want to lose games. All of us want to compete." McKennie added about Donovan's remarks, "No names were named. Coming off a long season, a stressful season, obviously, some players feel a different way about it, and some players feel another way. But the comments are comments. Everyone has their own opinions, and that's life, and that's football. "Obviously, like I said before, none of us take for granted that we get to represent a national team because it's one of the biggest honors that we can have in the sport of football. ... "So, any chance that we get, we want to play. But obviously, if you don't feel like your body is in the right condition, and you don't feel like your body is in the best form or shape or whatever, to be able to do that at 100 percent, and you feel like you're risking injury, then it's better to let someone else go in that is completely 100 percent." Also on Monday, Mark Pulisic, Christian's father, posted on Instagram a ChatGPT summary of the time when Donovan took a sabbatical from playing in 2012-13 "because he was feeling both physically and mentally exhausted after years of intense competition and the pressure that comes with being a top athlete." Christian Pulisic "liked" his father's post. Field Level Media
USA Today
a day ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Weston McKennie: Landon Donovan's dig at Christian Pulisic was sad
Weston McKennie: Landon Donovan's dig at Christian Pulisic was sad Show Caption Hide Caption Ronaldo at the Fifa Club World Cup? It's possible Safid Deen on the new international transfer window that could open the possibility of Cristiano Ronaldo joining a team ahead of the Club World Cup. Sports Seriously U.S. Men's National Team standout Weston McKennie says Landon Donovan's comments indirectly made regarding captain Christian Pulisic were sad and disappointing. While commentating Portugal's celebration after the team won the UEFA Nations League final Sunday on Fox Sports, Donovan said, 'This is what it means to represent your country. … I can't help but think about our guys on vacation not wanting to play in Gold Cup. It's pissing me off.' While Donovan didn't name Pulisic, it's clear the former USMNT captain was referring to the latest one. Pulisic decided to take the summer off after two straight 50-match seasons with AC Milan instead of joining the national team for the Concacaf Gold Cup later this month. Donovan, himself, also took a brief sabbatical from the team in 2013. 'Obviously, none of us take for granted playing for the national team. None of us want to lose games," McKennie told USA TODAY Sports on Monday, from Juventus headquarters in Italy preparing for the Club World Cup. "All of us want to compete. And for me, it's a little bit, I won't say sad, but as a former national team player, I think as a national team player pool – previous, present – I think it's more about trying to build or even say something like that to a person directly rather than putting it out there. 'That's just my opinion because we've all been through those moments, even when comments about us losing the Nations League were made by many players from before, but they've had the same thing on a bigger stage with not qualifying for the World Cup.' McKennie is also not participating with the USMNT this summer to help Juventus compete in the FIFA Club World Cup. Juventus is in Group G of the tournament and will play Al Ain (United Arab Emirates) on June 18 in Washington D.C., Wydad AC (Morrocco) on June 22 in Philadelphia, and Manchester City (England) on June 26 in Orlando during the group stage. Still, McKennie is keeping an eye on his teammates with the national team led by new coach Mauricio Pochettino. The USMNT lost a friendly to Turkey 2-1 on June 7 in East Hartford, Connecticut. The Americans will play Trinidad and Tobago on June 15, Saudi Arabia on June 19 and Haiti on June 22 in the group stage of the Gold Cup. McKennie believes the USMNT has a good group of players who are ambitious with room to grow before World Cup 2026, co-hosted by the U.S., Canada and Mexico. He believes the team needs to find its identity by practicing in a competitive environment. 'You fight for each other. You run for each other. You sacrifice for each other,' McKennie said. 'I think with the group that we have and some of the players that have been there a little bit longer, including myself, need to start not thinking that we're young anymore. We're veterans on the team, and we need to start acting like that. And take control. "And show the way, and show the culture that the U.S. men's national team has presented before because we've always been known as a country to fight, never give up, maybe not have been the best talented-wise. But now we have a lot more talent. And so now, we just need to add that grit and grind, and competitive nature back into the system.' As for Donovan's comments, McKennie sided with Pulisic while reiterating their desire to suit up for the national team because of its significance. 'No names were named,' McKennie said. 'Coming off a long season, a stressful season, obviously, some players feel a different way about it, and some players feel another way. But the comments are comments. Everyone has their own opinions, and that's life, and that's football. 'Obviously, like I said before, none of us take for granted that we get to represent a national team because it's one of the biggest honors that we can have in the sport of football. ... 'So, any chance that we get, we want to play. But obviously, if you don't feel like your body is in the right condition, and you don't feel like your body is in the best form or shape or whatever, to be able to do that at 100%, and you feel like you're risking injury, then it's better to let someone else go in that is completely 100%.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Scoop
Keep Yourself And Others Safe On The Road This King's Birthday Weekend
Press Release – New Zealand Police The four biggest factors in crashes, deaths and serious injuries involve restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cell phones, and speed. Police are urging road users to put safety first this King's Birthday weekend. Those who don't should expect to see red and blue lights. The number of road deaths so far this year has seen too many families losing loved ones in crashes, says Acting Director of Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie. 'There's no excuse for anyone to drive dangerously or carelessly, endangering their lives or others regardless of day of the year. 'So many of the crashes we've attended this year have been preventable, and that's a tragedy. It's horrific for families, friends, and first responders. 'Preventing those tragedies is what we're focused on, especially at long weekends when there are more people on the roads. If you're breaking the rules on the road, you'll get our attention and a ticket as well. 'Extra Police will be patrolling the roads across New Zealand, from highways to back roads, 'anywhere, anytime'. 'The four biggest factors in crashes, deaths and serious injuries involve restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cell phones, and speed. 'Those are four areas we're targeting because we know it can save lives. A split-second decision can be the difference between life and death. 'We want everyone travelling on the roads over the weekend to be safe, and to help keep others on the road safe. 'We're doing our best, but need people to take greater responsibility on the road.' Inspector McKennie urged motorists to take their time, drive to the conditions, and be patient. 'Just because you're a good driver, it doesn't mean the next person is. Drive in a manner and at a speed that allows you to respond safely to the unexpected. If you're on the road, do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe this long weekend.'
Scoop
29-05-2025
- Scoop
Keep Yourself And Others Safe On The Road This King's Birthday Weekend
Police are urging road users to put safety first this King's Birthday weekend. Those who don't should expect to see red and blue lights. The number of road deaths so far this year has seen too many families losing loved ones in crashes, says Acting Director of Road Policing, Inspector Peter McKennie. 'There's no excuse for anyone to drive dangerously or carelessly, endangering their lives or others regardless of day of the year. 'So many of the crashes we've attended this year have been preventable, and that's a tragedy. It's horrific for families, friends, and first responders. 'Preventing those tragedies is what we're focused on, especially at long weekends when there are more people on the roads. If you're breaking the rules on the road, you'll get our attention and a ticket as well. 'Extra Police will be patrolling the roads across New Zealand, from highways to back roads, 'anywhere, anytime'. 'The four biggest factors in crashes, deaths and serious injuries involve restraints, impairment through the likes of alcohol and drugs, distractions such as cell phones, and speed. 'Those are four areas we're targeting because we know it can save lives. A split-second decision can be the difference between life and death. 'We want everyone travelling on the roads over the weekend to be safe, and to help keep others on the road safe. 'We're doing our best, but need people to take greater responsibility on the road.' Inspector McKennie urged motorists to take their time, drive to the conditions, and be patient. 'Just because you're a good driver, it doesn't mean the next person is. Drive in a manner and at a speed that allows you to respond safely to the unexpected. If you're on the road, do everything you can to keep yourself and others safe this long weekend.'
