Weston McKennie describes this season of his life as “challenging and maturing,” focusing on “growing day to day and year to year” on and off the pitch.
“Just bettering my game and bettering my life outside. Trying to stay true to my values and whatnot,” the 27-year-old midfielder tells TODAY.com ahead of the World Cup.
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It’s a major moment in the athlete’s life as he and the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team compete in the global soccer tournament, hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada. The World Cup kicks off June 11, but the national team will have its first game on June 12 against Paraguay in Los Angeles, which is expected to be an emotional and pride-filled moment for McKennie.
The Puma athlete is excited for the first game on home soil, particularly hearing the national anthem and rocking his colorful football boots. The partnership with the sportswear brand, he says, was “a match that was meant to be.” He attributes it to Puma’s support off the field, including to his nonprofit, Magical Youth Mission, which supports foster children in the U.S. and kids in orphanages across Italy.
“I have a gala that I’m holding for the foundation, so they’re going to be a part of that,” McKennie says, adding it’s “the next big thing that will be coming up, besides the obvious, the World Cup.”
Below, in his own words, McKennie shares his World Cup memories, as well as what he’s most looking forward to as the tournament kicks off.
What is your earliest memory of watching a World Cup?
My first memory of a World Cup, I was in Germany in 2006. I was living there because my dad was in the military and I remember I was in the city of Kaiserslautern, walking around.
I was going to McDonald’s, and I remember seeing a Michael Ballack poster. And then, obviously, that World Cup had many events. It had the famous Zinedine Zidane headbutt against Italy and then you have Italy winning the World Cup. (But) probably my first memory: walking into McDonald’s and seeing the Michael Ballack poster.
The World Cup is about competition. Who’s your biggest supporter or competition?
My biggest supporter would be my family in general and my mom (Tina McKennie). My mom is someone that’s been with me from the beginning, traveling to all my games, going on trips with me, driving me from American football to soccer training, to American football games to soccer games, all on the same day.
I have her to thank for how my career has gone and getting me into the position to have a successful career and follow my dreams. As a parent, in the beginning stages, you always want your kid to just have fun and enjoy what they’re doing and be passionate about it, and my mom was there for that.
My dad (John McKennie) was someone that would always tell me, “If you’re not having fun doing it, then there’s no point in doing it, but if you start something, then you’re not quitting until you finish it.” I kind of had a group balance between both of my parents. My brother and sister as well, always supporting me and being there.
I feel like my biggest opponent would probably just be myself. I don’t see other people as my biggest opponent because I know what I’m capable of. I’ve had people in my life that may not be a direct opponent in the sport, but maybe an opponent (who) doesn’t want me to succeed or doesn’t believe in me, or something like that.
As long as my head is right, I know what I’m doing and I enjoy what I’m doing, and I’m focused and believe in what I’m doing, that’s great and I’ll be good. But once I start overthinking things, going back and forth in my head and caring what other people think, (that’s my biggest opponent).
What are you most looking forward to during the World Cup?
The first game, hearing the national anthem. The first time I ever heard the national anthem, I was in Portugal whenever I was with the first team of the national team. Hearing that for the first time on the professional and senior team level was amazing and then hearing it again in the last World Cup.
Being able to hear it again on home soil with home fans and hopefully everyone’s singing it, I think it’ll be a special moment.
