Americans Abroad Five: Weston McKennie’s contract year surge

Weston McKennie is picking the right time to be in the form of his life.

With his club future up in the air, the U.S. men’s national team midfielder has put together an outstanding run with Juventus in recent weeks.

The 27-year-old is ensuring he will have a payday coming at the end of the season – whether or not the club writing the check is Juventus.

McKennie is also sending a message to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, who has opted against calling him up in two of the past three international windows.

The midfielder’s outstanding run leads off this week’s Five.

Weston McKennie stays red hot

McKennie scored an acrobatic scissor kick in a 4-1 win over Parma on Sunday, Feb. 1, extending his prolific run in front of goal.

McKennie has now tied his career high with six total goals this season, including three goals and three assists in his last 10 Serie A games.

The run has come as his contract has entered its final six months, with no resolution on his club future imminent.

McKennie has said he wants to stay with Juventus, and his play over the last few months is surely convincing club hierarchy that he is worth a significant investment.

But Juventus has a history of undervaluing McKennie, who is also reported to have suitors both in Italy and abroad. His value seems to be increasing by the week.

Malik Tillman’s big week

Tilllman is back among this week’s Five, but in a much more positive fashion after the American took his season goal tally from three to six in the span of just two games.

The 23-year-old had a huge week for Leverkusen, scoring a brace in a midweek Champions League win over Villarreal before again finding the net in Saturday’s 3-1 win over Eintracht Frankfurt.

Leverkusen booked a spot in the Champions League knockout round playoff, where it will face Olympiacos. On Saturday, Tillman helped his side move to within a point of the Bundesliga’s top four.

Tillman wasn’t scoring tap-ins, either. His first goal against Villarreal was of the scrappy variety, but his second and his goal against Frankfurt were from the top drawer.

Gianluca Busio shines in Serie B

We haven’t mentioned Gianluca Busio much this season after he was relegated to Serie B for the second time during his Venezia career.

The midfielder had some interest from top-flight clubs but ultimately stayed with Venezia, where he’s continued to prove his quality despite the drop in divisions.

Busio now has two goals in three after scoring in Saturday’s 2-1 win over Carrarese, a result that took Venezia to the top of Serie B as the yo-yo club chases a third promotion to Serie A in six years.

At 23, Busio already has nearly 150 appearances between Serie B and Serie A. He still has time to develop into a consistent force in a top-four league.

That may happen again with Venezia next season but if the club falls short of another promotion, Busio may still be with a top-flight club in 2026-27.

The Johnny Cardoso dilemma returns

Who is Johnny Cardoso? Is he the player who has repeatedly failed to impress with the USMNT, or a regular starter for one of Europe’s biggest clubs?

Right now, Cardoso is once again both.

After struggling with injury for much of his debut campaign with Atlético Madrid, the 24-year-old has now started three consecutive league matches. That includes a 90-minute effort in Saturday’s scoreless draw with Levante.

Cardoso is still finding his footing with Atlético, but has clearly earned some level of trust under Diego Simeone.

The same can’t be said for Mauricio Pochettino, who has yet to see the best of Cardoso. Right now, MLS options like Sebastian Berhalter and Cristian Roldan appear to be ahead of Cardoso for the USMNT. If the Atlético midfielder keeps featuring for his club, it’s fair to wonder if that will continue.

Folarin Balogun chipping in with assists

Folarin Balogun has still yet to score a goal for Monaco in 2026, but the forward is still finding ways to make himself useful.

Balogun tallied a key assist for Monaco in Saturday’s 4-0 win over Rennes, setting up Ansu Fati for the opener at Stade Louis II.

It was Balogun’s second assist in four games as struggling Monaco won in the league for the first time since November.

Balogun will have to eventually break his goal drought if Les Monégasques are to truly go on a run, but the 24-year-old is at least doing enough to ensure he’s a lock starter at present.

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