Proving he belongs at Juventus is just part of McKennie’s mission. His experience with racism has shaped who he is and what he wants to become.

It was another day among hundreds that Weston McKennie spent on a soccer field. This particular field was unlike the majority since it was in a foreign country and surrounded by fans, but it was still familiar turf. The habits, instincts and reflexes that had been forged over a lifetime in the game probably kicked in as soon as he smelled the grass. The pitch was a place of structure and comfort—a place where he could focus on what he loved to do.

McKennie had recently returned to active duty after his summer break and entered as a second-half substitute in Schalke 04’s five-goal, DFB-Pokal rout of host SV Drochtersen/Assel, a team from Germany’s fourth tier. It was an early-August waltz for the Bundesliga