The USMNT midfielder played the full 90 as the Bundesliga side earned a spot in next season’s UEFA Champions League
Schalke’s return to the Champions League for the first time since 2014-15 was confirmed on Saturday following their 2-1 victory over Augsburg, with USMNT youngster Weston McKennie getting a start and playing the full match to help his side in its return to Europe’s top competition.
Domenico Tedesco’s side knew a point would be enough to secure their top-four finish but managed to secure all three, while Borussia Dortmund’s defeat to Mainz meant Schalke will finish as the runner-up behind Bayern Munich.
Thilo Kehrer was the unlikely hero for Schalke on the day, netting both goals in the win, first from a clever flick and then heading home from a corner.
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A run of four games unbeaten, which began with a 2-0 win against Dortmund last month, saw Schalke pick up form in the crucial stages of the campaign and the club can relax ahead of hosting of Europa League-chasing Eintracht Frankfurt in the Bundesliga’s finale next weekend.
For Christian Pulisic and Dortmund, the final match of the league season will carry more weight. Dortmund, currently third in the table, face fourth-placed Hoffenheim holding just a three-point advantage in the race for third.
Fifth-placed Bayer Leverkusen is also just three points back of third, so there is still a possibility of BVB missing out on the Champions League next season.
