Weston McKennie dismissed by USMNT after reportedly violating COVID-19 protocol twice
Multiple violations of COVID-19 protocols reportedly led to Weston McKennie's dismissal from the USMNT. McKennie reportedly spent a night outside the team's COVID-19 bubble and reportedly invited an unauthorized guest into the bubble on a separate occasion, according to Jeff Carlisle of ESPN.
McKennie did not play during the team's 1-1 tie against Canada on Sunday due to a suspension. McKennie posted on Instagram he was suspended after violating COVID-19 protocols.
McKennie reportedly apologized to the team after getting suspended, according to Doug McIntyre of FoxSports.
U.S. coach Gregg Berhalter says Weston McKennie apologized to his teammates, and him, for getting suspended for breaking Covid protocols. #USMNT
— Doug McIntyre (@ByDougMcIntyre) September 7, 2021
That wasn't enough to keep McKennie on the team. On Monday, the club dismissed McKennie, sending him back to Juventus. In a statement, USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter said being a member of the team comes with "high expectations." And that every member of the team needs to be accountable.
Both of McKennie's infractions played a role in the team dismissing him, according to ESPN.
Weston McKennie had another COVID-19 violation in April
McKennie tested positive for COVID-19 last October. McKennie tested positive for the virus a day after Cristiano Ronaldo tested positive for COVID-19. Both of those tests caused the entire Juventus team to go into quarantine.
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McKennie came under fire in April after hosting a party at his house. The move violated COVID-19 protocols, leading to McKennie and two of his teammates getting fined and suspended by Juventus.
