Juventus midfielder Weston McKennie has opened up on his close bond and understanding with Leeds United star Tyler Adams.
The pair have been a focal point for the United States in the heart of midfield for almost four years and will be key to the Star and Stripes' hopes at this winter's World Cup in Qatar.
McKennie and Adams have partnered each other 22 times in central midfield - four times for the U17s and on 18 occasions with the first team. McKennie has praised the work rate of his midfield partner and believes that their familiar presence will help integrate new internationals into the side.
“One of the things, as far as me and Tyler, have learned about each other is that he does all the running and I do all the playing. No, I’m just kidding!” McKennie joked to reporters relayed by 90min.
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“But I think just us being together for as long as we have and knowing each other for so long, we've, I think, developed a relationship that we know each other's tendencies, we know each other's abilities, we know each other's strengths and weaknesses and how to cover for one another.
“Many of the guys that are coming in that may have not been with the group so long, we've played with them or against them at some point in our lives, in our careers.
"Say for instance, Luca de la Torre, [who] maybe came on a little bit later into the national team, me and Tyler have been playing with him since we were 14, 15 years old. So I think whoever comes in, we have some sort of familiarity with each player.”
The Star and Stripes will be aiming to negotiate their way past a group containing England, Iran and Wales. United States failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup, missing out on the finals for the first time since 1986.
However, they have progressed to the knockout phase in four of their last six appearances at the tournament.
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