USMNT fall to Germany in World Cup send-off as Pochettino tests squad depth
Manager Mauricio Pochettino uses the friendly to assess tactical balance and player fitness before the 2026 tournament begins on home soil.
The United States Men’s National Team concluded its final preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup with a 2-1 defeat to Germany in Chicago on Saturday. The match, held at Soldier Field, served as the last outing for the Americans before they face Paraguay in their Group D opener on June 12.
Germany established an early advantage through Kai Havertz, who headed the ball past Matt Freese in the second minute following a dangerous free kick. Antonee Robinson equalised for the USMNT with a volley in the 36th minute, providing a moment of hope for the hosts. However, Leroy Sane scored the winning goal for Germany in the 57th minute, capitalising on defensive errors to secure the victory for Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino utilised the match to assess squad rotation and tactical balance ahead of the tournament. The USMNT started slowly but showed promise after the break, dominating the second half statistically with 11 shot attempts to Germany’s four and eight corners to one. Germany maintained a slight edge in possession at 52-48, but the Americans controlled the tempo in the latter stages.
Key players received significant minutes as Pochettino tested the depth of his roster. Christian Pulisic and Weston McKennie were substituted in the 62nd minute, while Antonee Robinson and Miles Robinson exited the field, with reports suggesting Robinson may have suffered a cramp. The manager introduced Sebastian Berhalter, Giovanni Reyna, Mark McKenzie, and Auston Trusty, among others, to evaluate the midfield and defensive structure.
The result follows a mixed build-up for the Americans, which included a 3-2 victory over Senegal. While Germany’s attack, featuring Denis Undav, Jamal Musiala, and Florian Wirtz, had previously performed well against Finland, the USMNT’s performance offered insights into the team’s readiness for the World Cup opener in Los Angeles. Pochettino now faces the task of refining the balance between midfield and defence before the campaign begins.
