How Weston McKennie has learned to 'adapt' with USMNT's new-found 'savageness,' amid constant Juventus tests

The USMNT midfielder launched McKennie's Magical Youth Mission, a foundation with a focus on helping underprivileged children

There are few surprises when Weston McKennie's name is amongst the starters for Juventus on any given gameday, demonstrating an impressive sturdiness in a season of change. The midfielder had to navigate not one, but two managerial changes for club and country in the summer months as well as modifications to his on-field role, some challenges easier than others. The 26-year-old McKennie, though, has approached each situation with a newfound confidence, one that comes with age and nearly a decade of experience in Europe's top leagues.

"I feel like I'm a type of player that's able to adapt to a lot of different things and throughout my career," McKennie said in an interview with CBS Sports.

The last few months offer just one example of McKennie's durability. He was considered surplus to requirements when Thiago Motta took over as Juventus' manager over the summer, and he was excluded from preseason preparation as the search for a new club began. By the end of August, though, he had a new deal at Juventus and has now played 19 games for the Italian side this season. McKennie was able to complete the turnaround in part because he went through the same thing with Motta's predecessor, Massimiliano Allegri, a year earlier, and built a body of work he could cite in his favor if need be.