USMNT’s Weston McKennie Shines as Juventus Beat Udinese 2–0 in Coppa Italia, Sparking Heavy Fan Backlash and VAR Debate

Tuesday, December 2, 2025 

USMNT’s Weston McKennie Shines as Juventus Beat Udinese 2–0 to Reach Coppa Italia Quarterfinals

Juventus booked their place in the Coppa Italia quarterfinals with a comfortable 2–0 victory over Udinese, thanks in large part to a sharp performance from USMNT midfielder Weston McKennie.

The Bianconeri—record holders with 15 Coppa Italia titles—will now face the winner of Wednesday’s clash between Atalanta and Genoa.

McKennie played a decisive role in the opening goal midway through the first half. The American international beat his marker down the right flank and delivered a driven low cross into the box. Teenage defender Matteo Palma, attempting to cut out the pass before Jonathan David could reach it, misjudged the ball and turned it into his own net, giving Juventus a deserved lead.

In the second half, VAR intervened after spotting Palma fouling Juan Cabal inside the area. Juventus were awarded a penalty, and substitute Manuel Locatelli confidently struck the spot kick straight down the middle to make it 2–0 and effectively seal the result.

For Juventus, it was a routine but professional win.
For McKennie, it was another strong showing—one that further solidifies his role under the club’s current setup and adds momentum heading into the next round.

score
Juventus 2–0 Udinese

scores
28’ – Matteo Palma (own goal, Udinese)
67’ – Manuel Locatelli (penalty, Juventus)

ESPN
https://www.espn.com/soccer/report/_/gameId/759119?utm_source=chatgpt.com

“Social Media Reactions”

StormRidgeAlpha
These kinds of fouls where the attacker already got the shot or pass off really shouldn’t be full penalties. Feels more like an indirect-free-kick situation, similar to accidental handballs.

GlassHopper92
Locatelli cooking again, I’m all for it. Let’s goooo.

MapleIronTransit
Is this seriously VAR helping us for once? I’m stunned.

HarborSpecter
Palma is having an absolute nightmare out there.

NightOwlTusk
What the hell happened to Gatti?

SilverBirchPilot
Atta looks incredible. When did this guy suddenly level up?

RustWingRunner
Why do American broadcasts always have lawyer ads? It’s everywhere.

CrimsonDuneEcho
Does anyone have a decent replay of David’s offside?

SolarFangCircuit
This is embarrassingly bad. If VAR isn’t just clueless, people will start asking serious questions.

TornadoMossDriver
Why didn’t they show both defenders in that awful VAR 3D animation? Completely useless.

EchoValleyNomad
They pulled that Candreva-style blunder again… unbelievable.

FrostbiteDynamo
VAR messed it up yet again. Total Candreva 2.0 moment.

IronCliffRider
FIGC is a joke… the whole system feels corrupt beyond belief.

　↳ SilentMangoFox
　Man, what a mess.

　↳ GravelStormEcho
　Absolute nonsense.

HarborFrontNomad
Juve rolling out their full A-team for a random Coppa match right before facing Napoli is kinda hilarious. Where was this energy the rest of the season?

　↳ BlueTideMercury
　There’s no universe where Napoli drop points.

　↳ HarborFrontNomad
　With these two teams? You can never be sure.

　↳ BlueTideMercury
　Saying “Napoli won’t drop points” is like the national jinx in Italy.
　But now that I’ve explained the jinx, it cancels itself out… congrats, you just made Conte’s day.

　↳ DustPeakRanger
　I’m with you on that 😭

EchoRidgeWalker
Am I losing it, or was he actually onside there?

　↳ IronClawVoyager
　This feels like Juve–Salernitana all over again. VAR honestly looks like it’s messing with us at this point. Anything goes as long as it screws Juventus.

　↳ MoonlineDrifter
　I had the same reaction live, but VAR checked it and still called it offside.
　Still waiting for a replay that actually shows something useful…

IronValeStriker
VAR looks like it’s being run by total amateurs today. What a joke.

　↳ CedarWavePilot
　We’re dealing with “semi-automated offsides,” apparently.

　↳ OrbitMothSignal
　Yeah, “sEmI AuToMaTeD,” sure… hilarious.

　↳ SlateRidgeHowl
　Did you even watch the replay? They drew the offside line on the wrong defender.
　Second time they’ve pulled this nonsense against Juve.
　So much for “automation.”

RustHarborFalcon
We could all be enjoying Barça vs Atleti right now, and instead we voluntarily signed up for this chaos… unbelievable.

　↳ MetroLimeHunter
　Any neutral choosing to watch an attack led by Jonathan David and Weston McKennie probably needs a wellness check.

　↳ ShadowCreekNomad
　Honestly, after sitting through Allegri-ball every week, nothing else in world football can really shock us anymore.

FrostValeHiker
David actually made a clever play for once. Didn’t expect that from him.

　↳ MarbleHollowPilot
　Even a broken clock manages to be right twice a day.

TidalHornet91
Seeing this many starters in a Round of 16 Coppa Italia match just feels wrong, lol.

　↳ HollowPineDrifter
　We need a quick trophy boost to fix the team’s morale.
　Anyone who seriously thinks we can glide through Serie A without issues probably needs a reality check.

　↳ CraneShadeVoyager
　Honestly, this might be our best shot at winning silverware.

　↳ TidalHornet91
　Yeah, fair enough — but even Udinese rolled out half their starters.
　Inter vs. Venezia tomorrow is gonna be pure chaos with both teams fielding full backup squads.

　↳ CraneShadeVoyager
　Say what you want, but Coppa Italia gets pretty entertaining when all the backup players start causing mayhem.

MarbleGateNomad
Really thoughtful of us to steer completely clear of the Zaniolo route… I’m sure he’ll totally appreciate that.

FrostLineVoyager
I just know Zaniolo’s gonna hit some ridiculous bicycle kick on us sooner or later.

NebulaDuneWalker
I was having a great time playing Arc, the new cosmic invasion update is great—yet somehow this match is still destined to ruin my week.

RustHarborFalcon
We could all be watching Barça vs Atleti right now, yet here we are choosing chaos instead. Incredible decision-making from all of us.

　↳ MetroLimeHunter
　Any neutral voluntarily tuning in to an attack led by Jonathan David and Weston McKennie probably needs a wellness check.

　↳ ShadowCreekNomad
　We sit through Allegri-ball every week — I’m not sure Simeone could really surprise us with anything at this point.

　↳ CrimsonValeStrider
　That man has been avoiding Allegri for years anyway.

IronMossWanderer
Amazing how our “genius” coach fields a full-strength lineup for a throwaway Coppa Italia match when we’ve got Napoli at the weekend. Absolutely brilliant planning.

　↳ CobaltRidgeRanger
　At this rate we’re probably losing both matches, so it barely matters.