safety
Little Elm's Weston McKennie celebrated by family during World Cup debut
By Laura Harris at NBC DFW
· June 17, 2026
· 2 min read
Weston McKennie, a 27-year-old midfielder for the U.S. Men's National Team, is a Little Elm native and John McKennie's younger brother. "I'm a Grand Prairie firefighter," McKennie said in the video produced by the city and sent to NBC 5. "I currently drive an engine down at Station 10 on the South s
Key takeaway "I'm a Grand Prairie firefighter," McKennie said in the video produced by the city and sent to NBC 5.
Why this matters in The Fort Worth
As Weston McKennie takes the international stage, his North Texas roots run deep, reflecting the region's growing influence on the soccer world. McKennie's time with FC Dallas Youth Academy demonstrates the local soccer infrastructure's ability to nurture top talent. The fact that he claims Dallas as his hometown, despite being born in Washington, speaks to the strong connections he formed during his formative years in the area. His family's presence in the region, including his brother's work as a Grand Prairie firefighter, further solidifies his local ties. With the USMNT's upcoming match against Australia, North Texas soccer fans will be watching closely, proud to see one of their own competing at the highest level. McKennie's success serves as a testament to the area's thriving soccer community, which continues to produce talented players and passionate fans, putting the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex on the map in the international soccer scene.
About this story
Original reporting by NBC DFW . The Fort Worth surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit NBC DFW . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 17, 2026 ·
Source: NBC DFW ·
Reading time: 2 min
Get more The Fort Worth stories like this
Free weekly briefing covering safety and other local news. Curated by our editorial team. No spam.
By subscribing you agree to our privacy policy . Unsubscribe anytime.
Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Weston McKennie, a 27-year-old midfielder for the U.S. Men's National Team, is a Little Elm native and John McKennie's younger brother. "I'm a Grand Prairie firefighter," McKennie said in the video produced by the city and sent to NBC 5. "I currently drive an engine down at Station 10 on the South s
When was this published? This article was first published on June 17, 2026 by NBC DFW and curated for The Fort Worth readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Laura Harris at NBC DFW. To learn more about how The Fort Worth selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Fort Worth, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
← Back to all news
More safety →
Today’s briefing
Subscribe to newsletter