USMNT’s Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest Declared Fit for World Cup Opener

Weston McKennie during USA Squad Training in 2018
Weston McKennie during USA Squad Training in 2018. Photo by Laszlo Geczo/INPHO/REX/Shutterstock (9698404s)

United States Men’s Nation Team stars Weston McKennie and Sergiño Dest have both confirmed that they are fit to play in their nation’s opening World Cup game against Wales on Monday night.

McKennie has been cleared to play after harboring a quad injury over the past few weeks. “Juventus and the national team, they were both working together to make sure that I’m 100 percent fit here. So I came in, did a couple days of just maintaining and keep it under control. We played the friendly the other day, and I felt good. I felt ready to go, and that’s where I’m at,” McKennie confirmed.

While suffering from muscle fatigue, Dest participated in an indoor training session separate from his national teammates before rejoining them on the training field. Both he and McKennie participated in Thursday’s training session with Qatari club Al-Gharafa SC.

Although the United States claims that this was simply a training session, the Qatari club divulged that a practice match was played with the Americans emerging 6-0 winners.

Defender Aaron Long confirmed suspicions of the practice game, labeling his team’s finishing as “great” and commenting that the goals have provided them with confidence.