With Christian Pulisic’s playing time seeming to shrink a bit, Bobby Wood (still) scuffling, and injuries beginning to pile up Weston McKennie’s return is coming none too soon. McKennie saw the field for 10 minutes last weekend in his return to action from a minor knee injury and will hopefully continue to see his playing time increase moving forward.
Schalke have worked their way to 2nd in the crowded second tier of the Bundesliga, sitting just one point above both Borussia Dortmund and Eintracht Frankfurt who face off in league play on Sunday. Schalke face Mainz who might be in relegation danger if not for the ineptitude of Hamburg and Cologne but the pressure will be on McKennie and Schalke as a win will be crucial against the weaker team if they are going to hang on to their top four position down the stretch.