USMNT optimistic after losing 2-1 to Germany at Soldier Field in final match before 2026 FIFA World Cup

The energy quickly went in Germany’s favor once the whistle blew and the USMNT found themselves down a goal less than two minutes after the contest began. 

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Tyler Adams fouled Germany’s Felix Nmecha on the right wing, which gave the Germans a great angle to whip a cross into the USMNT’s penalty area. German captain Joshua Kimmich promptly swung in a cross to Kai Havertz, who had evaded Miles Robinson, and the Arsenal forward made it look easy as he headed in the free kick from close-range to put his side up 1-0.

The USMNT equalized on their first shot on goal of the match and it was a finish that will be remembered for generations of American soccer fans. 

Christian Pulisic’s corner kick was half-cleared to Antonee Robinson and the Fulham fullback took the shot on from 22 yards without allowing the ball to hit the ground, rocketing his left-footed effort into Germany’s net to tie the match at one while sending the Soldier Field crowd into a frenzy. 

Antonee Robinson did later exit the match due to what both he and USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino described as cramps, leaving him in the picture for when the USMNT takes on Paraguay in California. 

Germany took the lead once again in the 57th minute. 

Bayern Munich’s Jamal Musiala played a nice feed into the USMNT’s penalty area for Kai Havertz, who immediately played the ball back to Leroy Sané. The Galatasaray forward made no doubt about it from 16 yards as he hammered his shot past Matt Freese into the back of the net to give Germany the 2-1 lead with just over a half hour left on the lakefront. 

The USMNT had a great chance before the final whistle blew but Germany’s Oliver Baumann saved the day and ensured his side entered their World Cup campaign with a win. Joe Scally, who entered the match in the 72nd minute, found himself with the ball just beyond the 18 in the 81st minute and he proceeded to unleash a strike that was goalbound before Baumann leapt to his right and denied the effort from sneaking into the corner of the net. 

Mauricio Pochettino was incredibly optimistic after his side’s second loss of their final window before the FIFA World Cup begins, even noting that it was helpful for his side to experience a setback like conceding early against a Germany side that is likely better than anyone they’ll face in Group D because they played well enough afterwards to have something to be proud of.

“I was thinking that we were lucky to face a situation, conceding a goal against a team like Germany,” Pochettino said. “It was an amazing challenge for us to see how we react, how we show character, how we show together, man, how we start to play under pressure. 

“I was sad, I was upset, of course, but after [the goal], it changed. I think it’s lucky because I think it’s good for us to see the reaction of the team. The reaction was amazing, it was really positive and that’s why it’s good.”

Chicago Fire FC Homegrown goalkeeper Chris Brady was an unused substitute, which was the expectation for the USMNT’s third goalkeeper, but the Naperville native told reporters after the match that he’s focused on embracing the opportunity ahead of him in this FIFA World Cup.

“I’m trying to embrace it,” Brady said after the match at Soldier Field. “I talked to [former USMNT head coach and current Chicago Fire FC head coach and director of football] Gregg Berhalter at the [Chicago Fire’s training] facility when we trained there and he said ‘embrace every moment, because this is going to be an experience that’s unlike any other. Take as many videos as you can, embrace it, soak in everything that you’re a part of because it could very well be a once in a lifetime thing.’ Fingers crossed that’s not the case, but it’s been an incredible experience so far and I’m looking forward to experiencing a lot more with this group of guys.

USMNT Starting 11: Matt Freese (GK), Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream (C), Miles Robinson, Alex Freeman, Sergiño Dest, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun

Substitution at 62’: Auston Trusty, Sebastian Berhalter, Gio Reyna, Brenden Aaronson and Mark McKenzie on for Antonee Robinson, Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Miles Robinson

Substitution at 72’: Ricardo Pepi, Tim Weah, Max Arfsten, Cristian Roldan and Joe Scally on for Folarin Balogun, Sergiño Dest, Tim Ream, Tyler Adams and Alex Freeman

USMNT unused subs: Matt Turner (GK), Chris Brady (GK), Alex Zendejas, Haji Wright

Germany Starting 11: Oliver Baumann (GK), Nathaniel Brown, Jonathan Tah, Joshua Kimmich (C), Nico Schlotterbeck, Aleksandar Pavlović, Felix Nmecha, Leroy Sané, Florian Wirtz, Jamal Musiala, Kai Havertz

Substitution at 61’: David Raum, Denis Undav and Waldemar Anton on for Nathaniel Brown, Kai Havertz and Joshua Kimmich

Substitution at 72’: Jamie Leweling on for Leroy Sané

Substitution at 80’: Angelo Stiller, Nadiem Amiri, Leon Goretzka and Maximilian Beier on for Aleksandar Pavlović, Jamal Musiala, Felix Nmecha and Florian Wirtz

Germany unused subs: Jonas Urbig (GK), Alexander Nubel (GK), Antonio Rudiger, Malick Thiaw, Pascal Gross, Nick Woltemade

Attendance: 63636