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

Analysis by Hikaru Sakamoto

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)

The Bigger Picture

From the moment this Coppa Italia tie began, it was clear that the night would be remembered less for the scoreline and more for the confusion surrounding it. Juventus took care of business on paper, but among supporters the dominant feeling was frustration — not directed at the players, but at a match once again overshadowed by VAR decisions that failed to convince.

That frustration did not erase the positives. Manuel Locatelli calmly converting his penalty straight down the middle mattered, and it was noticed. Weston McKennie’s aggressive run down the right flank, which directly led to the opening goal via an Udinese own goal, set the tone early and effectively decided the flow of the match. Even Jonathan David, often treated skeptically, drew begrudging acknowledgement for at least one intelligent action.

Still, every one of those moments was followed by confusion. Offside replays that explained nothing. 3D animations that showed too little. Lines drawn against the wrong defender. For many watching, this was no longer about a single decision going for or against Juventus — it was about a system that appeared incapable of delivering clarity.

The decision to field a near full-strength XI in a Round of 16 Coppa Italia match just days before facing Napoli only amplified the unease. Supporters were not dismissing the competition. On the contrary, many clearly see the Coppa Italia as the most realistic route to silverware this season — which is precisely why these nights feel too important to be drowned in uncertainty.

Fan Reactions

• 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.
• Locatelli cooking again — I’m fully on board with this.
• Is this actually VAR helping us for once? I’m shocked.
• Palma is having an absolute nightmare out there.
• What on earth happened to Gatti?
• Atta looks incredible. When did he suddenly level up like this?
• Does anyone have a proper replay of David’s offside?
• This is embarrassingly bad. If VAR isn’t just clueless, people are going to start asking serious questions.
• Why didn’t they show both defenders in that VAR 3D animation? Completely useless.
• That Candreva-style blunder again… unbelievable.
• VAR got it wrong yet again. Total Candreva 2.0 moment.
• The federation feels like a joke at this point.
  • What a mess.
  • Absolute nonsense.
• Rolling out the full A-team for a Coppa match right before Napoli is kind of hilarious.
  • There’s no world where Napoli drop points.
  • With these two teams, you never know.
  • Saying Napoli won’t drop points is the national jinx.
• Am I losing it, or was he actually onside?
  • This feels like Juve–Salernitana all over again.
  • Still waiting for a replay that actually shows something useful.
• VAR looks like it’s being run by amateurs today.
  • “Semi-automated offsides,” apparently.
  • Sure — “semi-automated.”
  • They drew the line on the wrong defender again.
• Seeing this many starters in a Coppa Italia Round of 16 just feels wrong.
  • We need a trophy to lift the team’s morale.
  • This might honestly be our best shot at silverware.

What Remains

It was a match that left many supporters asking what VAR was actually there for.
Unclear offside replays, useless 3D animations, and lines drawn against the wrong defender — the comments were filled with confusion and distrust toward the officiating.

And yet, Juventus still won 2–0.

Locatelli stepped up, buried the penalty down the middle, and was credited with “doing his job.”
McKennie attacked down the right, forced the decisive error, and played a direct role in setting the match on its course.
And the idea that the Coppa Italia may be Juventus’ most realistic path to a trophy this season was voiced not as a joke, but with genuine seriousness.

Even the choice to field a full-strength lineup before facing Napoli was discussed beyond simple sarcasm.
“To raise morale, you need a trophy.”
“If you think this team can cruise through the league, you need a reality check.”

Whatever the doubts, Juventus move on to the next round.

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