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I have played in a World Cup and I understand how the US national team is preparing and what is most important. There is one more game left before the American tournament against Paraguay begins on June 12 and it is important to arrive with confidence.
This time I have a different challenge. I’ll look at the United States throughout their journey to the 2026 World Cup, starting with a final warm-up match against Germany.
Here are my keys to the game and a preview of what we can expect from Germany and the United States.
Leroy Sane
Extreme · Germany
When we look at the German national team, the first names that come to mind are probably Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz or Joshua Kimmich. However, the player I’m keeping an eye on in this game is someone who can exploit a potential weakness in the American defense.
Sane is the player I highlight because he relates to what worries me with the United States. The former Manchester City star is a fast left-footed winger who usually plays on the right side. He can dribble in any direction, cut with his left foot or drag the ball towards the touchline.
Tim Ream and Antonee “Jedi” Robinson on the left side of the US defense will guard Sane. When Robinson is high up the pitch and Germany receives the ball in transition, there is a chance for Sane to take on Tim in open space. After watching the friendly against Senegal, that wouldn’t be ideal for this American team.
Leroy Sané will represent a unique threat to the defense of the United States. (Harry Langer/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
This will be less of a problem in the United States’ World Cup group stage against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. However, as you progress through the knockout rounds, you’ll face players who can exploit that pace and potentially cause problems for Ream.
Ream will be important in controlling the plays for the American team, but in the first 20 minutes against Senegal last Saturday, he had some unusual turnovers that created dangerous opportunities.
Additionally, there were a few moments where the ball went wide and Ream wasn’t close enough right away. He did the right thing in that situation to delay the attack and wait for help, but his ability to defend wingers in dangerous positions will play a vital role in the tournament.
Alex Freeman will look to build on his performance against Senegal and should also find himself in more one-on-one moments against Germany.
Weston McKennie
Midfielder · United States
I’m curious to see how Wes plays and how much of the game he can dictate. We know how good he is on offense, but can he be effective on both sides of the ball?
Wes played the second half against Senegal after Pochettino made 10 changes at half-time. He did very well, especially in defence, showing the bravery and leadership that comes with wearing the captain’s armband during the second half.
Wes is expected to start in midfield alongside Tyler Adams, who can cover a lot of ground defensively and potentially give him freedom moving forward. Still, against a team like Germany that can cause the United States problems quickly in transition, my former American teammate has to make a strong shift on both sides of the field.
I know he can do it, having played with the famous “MMA” midfield of Tyler, McKennie and Yunus Musah at the 2022 World Cup. Adams covered the midfield, while Wes and Yunus covered the rest of the midfield, down to the wing. This will be a good test before Germany enters the tournament.
How well McKennie plays and how much of the game the American midfield can dictate will determine what the United States can get out of the game.
What to expect from the USA
The United States may need a different mentality against Germany compared to the one they started against Senegal. The starting eleven played 45 minutes together before 10 substitutions at half-time. Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to press up the pitch and you are going to empty the tank when you know you are only going to play 45 minutes.
I was very impressed with the compactness of the team against Senegal and I hope we see it again against Germany. Offensively, in the previous match there were many positive combinations and scoring opportunities by the attacking group. We will see if the team can continue to look dangerous against Germany.
I hope we see more minutes from the starting XI against Germany to get fit for the World Cup while trying to stay safe and healthy. I assume that the starting eleven will play at least 60 to 70 minutes in this match.
Can the United States be as aggressive against Germany as it was against Senegal? It is unlikely that the Americans will have as much control of the ball as in their first friendly. This matchup may require them to get into a low block, sit back, and defend more.
If Pochettino starts with three center backs, as he did against Senegal, how will the United States fall back in defense? When they enter a low block does it become a 5-4-1? Will the United States be happy to give up space and possession? I’m curious to see how the team prepares against a potential title contender.
With that, can the United States find the right balance between attack and defense? Can the team say, “Hey, we’re not going to just be passive, can we go out and be aggressive at the right times?” Based on the Senegal game, I expect the Americans to at least try to be very aggressive in the first 10 or 15 minutes.
Finding that balance will require a lot of maturity from both the coaching staff and the players on the field. I am hopeful that we can find the right balance between pressing and sitting against a team that will be considered a superior opponent.
What to expect from Germany
I think Germany will score a goal in transition.
There are two things that worry me about the United States in the World Cup, and they both have to do with their defense. The first, as I have already talked about, is how this team is going to defend in transition when the opponent is on the counterattack. Germany has players like Sane, Musiala and Wirtz who can cause problems when given space and time on the ball.
The other thing I’m worried about, which may not necessarily have to do with this game, is how the United States will be able to play against a high-target forward. Fortunately, Germany does not have one of those, and defender Chris Richards would give the United States a different element in defense if he is fit.
Against Senegal, there were some direct balls played towards the US defense that were not easily handled by Mark McKenzie and Ream. The addition of Richards should help in this area and I hope we see a little more control in this area in the future. Playing against a big forward will test this American defense both in the hold-up game and deep in the penalty box.
