The stage is set for the World Cup group phase, but the US men’s national team faced a setback in their final preparation match.
On Saturday, they suffered a 2-1 defeat to Germany at Soldier Field, where a spirited crowd of 63,636 fans witnessed the action under a mix of sweltering heat and intermittent rain.
Antonee Robinson netted the lone goal for the United States, striking a stunning volley, but Germany found the net twice, leaving the US to reflect on their performance.
Despite the lack of a win, the match provided insights into the team’s readiness just days before they kick off in Group D.
Concerns linger about how to effectively utilize the agile Balogun, who was limited to just 20 touches in 72 minutes due to tight marking from Jonathan Tah. Both Christian Pulisic and Sergiño Dest struggled to make an impact from their positions on the flanks, showcasing Germany’s tactical discipline and determination to stifle US momentum.
Even after falling behind, the US maintained composure, avoiding costly errors, a noticeable improvement from their earlier friendlies against Belgium and Portugal.
Germany quickly established dominance in the match. Following a foul by Tyler Adams near the penalty area, Joshua Kimmich delivered a curling indirect free kick. Clever positioning allowed Kai Havertz to get free from Tim Ream, and he easily directed a header from close range past Matt Freese, sending a wave of disappointment through the home crowd as rain began to fall.
As the clouds cleared around the 12-minute mark, the US began to find their footing. The team displayed a fluid attacking style, with Dest actively engaging in his wing-back role while Alex Freeman often positioned himself more as a right-back. The US demonstrated patience in possession, looking to regain control quickly whenever Germany created a turnover. However, Dest’s long-range effort sailed over the crossbar, and subsequent attempts were blocked or cleared before reaching their target.
A cooling break in the 23rd minute disrupted the rhythm of play, as both teams exchanged physical fouls and struggled to connect on ambitious passes.
Finally, Antonee Robinson ignited the home fans with a spectacular goal. Positioned just outside the box, he connected with a corner kick that looped his way after an initial clearance. Robinson struck before the ball touched the ground, sending a powerful volley past Oliver Baumann for his fifth international goal.
The German side continued to play aggressively, with Tim Ream receiving a blow to the neck and Pulisic briefly on the ground after a tackle from Leroy Sané. Chilean referee Piero Mazo, not officiating at the World Cup, allowed the game to flow with minimal stoppages, which frustrated some US supporters as Germany entered halftime without a yellow card. Nonetheless, the US’s response to an early deficit showed promise.
Second Half Challenges
Both teams kept their starting eleven intact to begin the second half, but Germany’s organized defense posed a significant challenge for the US to threaten Baumann’s goal.
The situation worsened for the US when Germany regained the lead. A swift through-ball from Jamal Musiala found Sané, who was just ahead of Tyler Adams, allowing Sané to slot his shot into the far corner past a diving Freese, reclaiming a one-goal advantage in the 57th minute.
Substitutions began at the hour mark, disrupting the US’s high-pressing game and creating disarray in their off-ball movements. Freese was the only starter to complete the full match, alleviating concerns over the starting goalkeeper position after Pochettino had rotated between Matt Turner and Chris Brady in the preceding friendly against Senegal.
As personnel changes continued, the match settled into a slower rhythm. Both goalkeepers faced shots in the final fifteen minutes, but neither conceded. Sebastian Berhalter stood out with his movement and composure on the ball, showcasing his technical abilities in the attacking third. Even in a losing effort, the Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder made a compelling case for a starting role against Paraguay.
The US bench rallied behind Weah after a controversial challenge on David Raum led to confrontations with Nico Schlotterbeck and Tah. The crowd erupted in support of Weah, chanting “U-S-A” as Mazo attempted to resume play.
This display of unity in defense of Weah highlighted the team’s growth as they approach the World Cup, with players fully committed to Pochettino’s vision, despite one player (Richards) still in recovery.
While the tournament co-hosts faced a tough opponent, few could claim they embarrassed themselves against teams aspiring to reach the quarter-finals. Now, all that remains is the momentous tournament itself.
