The USMNT dismissed Weston McKennie after he reportedly spent a night away from the team's bubble and brought an unauthorized person to the hotel.
U.S. men's national team midfielder Weston McKennie was dismissed by coach Gregg Berhalter for breaking the team's COVID-19 bubble on two separate occasions, according to ESPN's Jeff Carlisle.
ESPN reports the Juventus midfielder spent a night outside of the bubble while he also reportedly brought an unauthorized person to his hotel room on a separate evening, per TUDN's Hablamos Soccer podcast.
After starting in the USMNT's scoreless draw with El Salvador to open World Cup qualifying, McKennie was suspended for a 1–1 draw with Canada in Nashville for violating the team's COVID-19 protocols. On Monday, Berhalter dismissed McKennie back to Italy, ruling him out for Wednesday's qualifier in Honduras.
“Unfortunately I am suspended for tonight’s match due to a violation of team COVID protocols," McKennie posted on Instagram before the Canada match. "I am sorry for my actions. I will be cheering hard for the boys tonight and hope to be back with the team soon.”
It's not the first COVID-19 breach for the 23-year-old Texas native. McKennie was suspended in April by then Juventus manager Andrea Pirlo for hosting a party in violation of Italy's COVID-19 protocols.
Along with McKennie, the USMNT will also be missing key starters in Manchester City goalkeeper Zack Steffen (COVID-19) and Barcelona full back Sergiño Dest (injury) against Honduras.
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