Weston McKennie Starts vs Bayer Leverkusen, 2:30 EST 9/29, FS2

Keeps Bentaleb on the bench. That's pretty impressive. Also, we finally get to see Schalke in its normal formation with McKennie paired with Goretzka

 

Thanks Schalke I just got back from lunch at work and was worried I was going to have to do actual work for the next 3 hours.

Off to foxsportsgo I go(in 30 minutes)!

 

Just as a note. Bentaleb is said to have been recovering from fitness issues, so this could be a small factor. But it's still a big deal that Wes gets the nod over other options. Hoping for a solid performance today

 

The kid is coming through as planned just as we hoped.

 

Bentaleb got a knock before the last match and did not even make the last match day 18. He is still recovering and is not 100% fit.

We are on a 2 L streak so this is a must win. The 04 natives are getting restless

 

very dismal start

 

For him?

 

Pressuring higher. Wes is getting a few more touches. Previous games his teammates seemed to pass around him. Made a nice headed pass to Konopylanka

 

He bit HARD on that fake, but good recovery speed

 

He seems to track back very well. Fullback got beat earlier and McKennie closed out on him and got dapped up for it.

 

Incredible athleticism from McKennie there. Guy can leap and run

 

Yea watching this game there's no way you keep this kid out of the next qualifiers. I know blah blah blah "earn it" but he's clearly one of the US' best 3 midfielders, no?

 

Fantastic outlet under pressure leading to a break opportunity there

 

He's certainly more athletic than anyone who's started for us recently in central midfield.

 

Aside from the slip he's had some good defensive plays. Schalke as a team have not produced much offensively.

 

Weston's ability to recover the ball, dribble hard under pressure, and accurately pass off the dead run is special.

 

Great free kick by Goretzka. They needed that.

 

Damn that goal was nice. There will be more pressure on Schalke now, we'll see how Weston handles it.

 

Goretzka is world class. bigly underated.

 

Surprised Wes isn't one of the players crashing the box. He's so good in the air.

 

I just read on a german Schalke forum that they're calling him 'pitbull'. I like that. I also saw "chubby Wes". didn't like that one so much

 

He's still got a baby face, he'll lean out eventually. He's not flashy but I think that was a strong half for him and the team as a whole.

 

I can't wait until 2020 when I take a multi-week trip to Germany and watch McKennie/Taitague with Schalke, Pulisic with BVB and Sargent with Werder, with a whole lot of beer between.