USMNT news: Mckennie’s next move, checkmate for Pulisic, Steffen’s German opening

Today’s USMNT news includes rumors of West McKennie’s next club, Christian Pulisic was pictured with the World No. 1 chess player and Zack Steffen has been linked with a transfer to Germany.  

USMNT news: Weston McKennie’s next move

Weston McKennie assisted Rodrigo’s goal with a long throw, in Leeds United’s 3-1 loss to West Ham United yesterday. The result means that Leeds will now have to beat Tottenham Hotspur on the final day of the season and hope that Everton loses to Bournemouth. So the chances of the Yorkshire side staying in the Premier League are slim.

However, McKennie will not stay with the club, even if they survive relegation. According to JuveFCDotCom “Italian sources have confirmed Weston McKennie will return to Juventus this summer. It’s over between him and Leeds.

“Wes will discuss his future with the Juve management after returning from NT (National team) duty in the summer. His agent has received interest from Brighton, Newcastle, West Ham & Aston Villa. He’s expected to return to the Premier League but a change in Juve’s coach could open the door for Wes to stay.”

A move to any of the English clubs listed would be a step up. Newcastle and Brighton have both secured European soccer for next season. Whilst Aston Villa who are 7th in the league, still have a chance of playing in Europe in the next campaign. As for West Ham, if they beat Fiorentina in the final of the Europa Conference League then they will qualify for the Europa League.

Staying at Juventus would be a risk, despite the chance that Massimiliano Allegri leaves. It is unclear who the next manager could be, so we do not know if McKennie would get a chance.

USMNT news: Checkmate for Christian Pulisic

Christian Pulisic got a short run out in the final stages of Chelsea’s 1-0 loss to Manchester City yesterday. The USMNT forward nearly assisted an equaliser for Cesar Azpilicueta. However, it was not all bad for Pulisic who has been pictured with the World No.1 chess player, Magnus Carlsen.

Carlsen posted on his Instagram account a photo of him with Pulisic, in what appears to be an advert for Puma. Pulisic has spoken of his love of chess and Carlsen is known to be a huge soccer fan who once topped the charts in the Fantasy Premier League game.

It looks to be a great collaboration. Hopefully, Pulisic will make the right move when deciding if he is to leave Stamford Bridge at the end of this season.

USMNT news: Zack Steffen’s German opening

Zack Steffen enjoyed a successful spell on loan from Manchester City at Middlesbrough this season. However, his time at Boro ended in a defeat to Coventry in the Championship playoffs.

Steffen will now be thinking about his next destination. The Sun has reported that “City aim to find a buyer for keeper Zack Steffen in the summer — after his loan spell at Middlesbrough ends. Boro fears they will lose the United States international as City are open to selling him, with German clubs on alert.”

Steffen has experience playing in Germany during spells at Freiburg and Fortuna Dusseldorf. A return to the country to play in the Bundesliga will enable him top-flight soccer in one of Europe’s top five leagues.