By Daniel Feuerstein | Chicago, IL | June 5th, 2026
This is the final tune-up international friendly as the U.S. Men’s National Team is preparing to play against Germany at Soldier Field in downtown Chicago. Their send-off match as they get ready to fly to the West Coast and set up camp in the Los Angeles area to play two group stage matches in Inglewood and one match in Seattle to face their Group D opponents in Paraguay, Australia, and Turkiye for the hopes of advancing to the knockout stage and playing in their very first round of 32 match.
Facing a strong German side
The Germans have always been a strong test to play internationally for the U.S. Men’s National Team. Historically, some of the best players in the world, from Franz Beckenbauer to Oliver Kahn, Lothar Matthäus, Miroslav Klose, Jurgen Klinsmann, Thomas Müller, and many other great players have played their careers in the German Bundesliga or across Europe playing for well-known clubs from Bayern Munich, Borussia Dortmund, Bayer Leverkusen, and so on. This German team will be no different, as they always give a good game and provide a tough challenge.
“Yeah. I think it’s a game that is nice to play. I think it’s one of the games that, at least for us as a technical team, we’re excited to play. because we play against one of the best teams in the world. I think it’s one of the teams that has the possibility, or that will have the possibility, to fight for the championship, for the title. Based on what? Based not only on their games, but on their performance. I don’t know, his collective play, but also his individual characteristics, that they are all great players who play in. If they don’t play in the Bundesliga, they play in the best leagues in the world. With a great coach like Julian (Nagelsmann), whom I know well, I think that Germany is a serious contender to win the World Cup. An incredible motivation and also the possibility of us, as it was also Senegal, to put ourselves to the test with a team completely different from the one we faced in Charlotte,” said Mauricio Pochettino
Pochettino wants to play more European sides
Without a doubt, facing the best national teams from Europe is always a big get when the USMNT needs matches during international friendly games, when it’s not a tournament or World Cup Qualifying, but due to the UEFA Nations League, those matches are not available until we get to this time in the international calendar, and those past two friendly games against Belgium and Portugal before the World Cup begins. While it’s more of a demand, the hope is that when our players do face these teams, they are prepared and ready to go.
“We wanted to play, and we want to play with the best in our preparation for this World Cup. I think the tests in Portugal and Belgium were amazing for us to improve and to learn. What we don’t need to do and how we need to approach the game. It’s a great opportunity after Senegal, which is going to be a completely different team that we are going to face tomorrow. It’s about to approach in a way that we can be close to winning,” said Pochettino
Are the players fully fit and ready?
Of course, the hope is to have your 26-man roster fully fit and healthy. Currently, Chris Richards, who just finished his Premier League Season with Crystal Palace, suffered an ankle injury and is currently in training with the World Cup team, but hasn’t been allowed to be cleared for any action until he’s 100% healthy and has no pain. For the other 25 players, they are ready to go, and the hope is that during this match, they escape unscathed and can fly across the country to get ready for their Group D matches.
“Yes, we have a few things that we need to assess today. See on the training, and then we will decide tomorrow. Of course, we are 26 players, and difficult to play everyone tomorrow. A few players are not going to be involved. It’s not a place for everyone to play minutes, but we are going to try to make the best decision. If we have some advice, and some players maybe cannot be able to compete tomorrow, we will do what’s best for the players, and the medical staff will tell you,” said Pochettino
This will be a tough match for the U.S. Men’s National Team, but without a doubt, these games are here to prepare for this huge World Cup spectacle that will go across the entire North American Continent. In six days, the greatest soccer party will be off and running. The entire world will have its eyes here to see the new 48-team field.
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