USA vs Germany Preview: One Last Test Before the World Cup Begins

By World Soccer Wire Editorial

This is the one that matters.

When the USMNT takes the field at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday afternoon, it won't be just another friendly. This is the final dress rehearsal before the biggest tournament in American soccer history kicks off five days later. Germany are the opponents — four-time world champions, ranked 10th in the world, and hungry to prove they're a genuine contender in 2026. There is no better test available.

Kickoff is 2:30 p.m. ET. It's on TBS, HBO Max, Peacock, and Fubo. A sellout crowd in Chicago will make it feel like a World Cup match. For all intents and purposes, it is.

Germany Are Not Here to Be Kind

Julian Nagelsmann's side arrived in the United States having just dismantled Finland 4-0 in their farewell match on home soil. Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz, and Deniz Undav — who scored twice against Finland — form one of the most talented attacking trios in world football. This Germany side may not have won a major trophy since 2014, but they are loaded with quality and desperate to end that drought on North American soil.

They come in with an 8-4-0 all-time record against the United States and haven't lost to the Americans since a 2-1 result in Cologne in June 2015. The most recent meeting, in October 2023, ended in a 3-1 Germany win in Connecticut. The history here does not favor Pochettino's side.

One notable absentee for Germany: Manuel Neuer, who came out of international retirement to play one final World Cup, is a doubt with injury. If he misses out, Oliver Baumann starts in goal.

What the USMNT Need to Show

Fresh off the 3-2 win over Senegal, Pochettino's squad arrives in Chicago with genuine momentum and a captain who is back scoring. Christian Pulisic's performance in Charlotte — a goal, an assist, and a dominant first-half display — was exactly what the team needed heading into the final stretch.

But Germany will provide a different kind of test. Senegal pressed high and left space in behind. Germany are more disciplined, more technically precise, and will make the US work for every inch. The US hasn't won against European opposition in their last 10 attempts — that's the number Pochettino will be focused on changing Saturday.

One significant injury concern: Chris Richards, who anchors the US backline, is not fully fit. Tim Ream, named captain for this camp, will lead the defense. How the back four handles Musiala and Wirtz in tight spaces will be the key tactical battle of the afternoon.

The Key Matchup: Wirtz vs. Adams

Florian Wirtz is the most dangerous player on the field Saturday. The 22-year-old Bayer Leverkusen star is the kind of technical midfielder who finds pockets between the lines and makes things happen in an instant. Tyler Adams, who carries enormous responsibility in this USMNT midfield, will need to be everywhere.

If Adams can disrupt Wirtz's rhythm in the first 30 minutes and force Germany to go wide, the US has a real chance of keeping this competitive. If Wirtz is allowed to turn and play, it's going to be a long afternoon.

Prediction: Germany 2-1 USA

Germany are the better side on paper and the better side historically in this fixture. But this is not a normal friendly. The USMNT are playing in front of their own fans, five days before the World Cup begins, with genuine belief after the Senegal result. Pulisic scores. The crowd at Soldier Field goes wild.

Ultimately Germany's quality tells in the second half. A narrow defeat is not a disaster — it's information. Pochettino will learn more from 90 minutes against Nagelsmann's side than he would from three wins over weaker opposition.

The World Cup starts June 11. Saturday is the last chance to get ready.

USA vs Germany kicks off Saturday, June 6 at 2:30 p.m. ET from Soldier Field in Chicago. Watch on TBS, HBO Max, Peacock, and Fubo.

Pulisic Ends Goal Drought as USMNT Beats Senegal 3-2 — World Cup Confidence Is Building

By World Soccer Wire Editorial

Christian Pulisic had a message for his critics Sunday night: stop talking about it.

The USMNT captain ended a five-month goal drought in style, scoring and assisting in the first half as the United States beat Senegal 3-2 in Charlotte in a chaotic but ultimately encouraging World Cup warm-up. Sergino Dest and Folarin Balogun also found the net, and while Sadio Mané gave the Americans a scare with a brace either side of halftime, Pochettino's side held on for a result that matters more than the scoreline suggests.

"I felt this confidence," Pulisic said after the game. "I've played really well in recent months too, but all people seem to care about is goals. So hopefully now people can stop talking about it."

Consider it done.

How It Unfolded

The US were cool and clinical in the opening minutes, moving the ball with patience before Pulisic unlocked things entirely. In the seventh minute, a clever touch from Ricardo Pepi between two defenders freed Pulisic for a run down the left. His low cross was perfectly weighted, and Dest arrived in stride for a simple finish at the near post.

Pulisic added his own name to the scoresheet in the 20th minute — his first international goal since 2024 — rounding goalkeeper Mory Diaw before tucking a composed angled shot into the net. His 33rd international goal, and the timing couldn't have been better.

Pochettino made 10 substitutions at halftime, and Senegal pounced. Sadio Mané — still dangerous at 34 — pulled one back almost immediately, then leveled again to make it 2-2 and give the second-half side a genuine test. Balogun answered in the 63rd minute with the winner, restoring order and giving the United States the result that heads into the record books.

What It Means for the World Cup

The Senegal result matters for two reasons. First, the obvious one: Pulisic's form. He has been the USMNT's most important attacking player for years, and his goal drought had become an irritating storyline heading into the tournament. That noise is now gone. A goal, an assist, a commanding first-half display — Pochettino will sleep easier knowing his captain arrived in Charlotte with something to prove and delivered.

Second, the system looks right. The US outshot Senegal 15-7 and created multiple chances that weren't taken. That's the kind of dominance you want to see heading into a tournament opener. Ricardo Pepi had one of his strongest performances in an American shirt. Alex Freeman, on his first start, looked sharp. The depth is real.

One concern: the second-half collapse. Mané exposed a reshuffled backline twice in quick succession, and goalkeeper Chris Brady had a difficult debut. Pochettino won't be making 10 changes against Paraguay on June 12.

Next Up: Germany on Saturday

The USMNT has one more warm-up before the World Cup begins — a sold-out clash against Germany in Chicago on Saturday. Four-time world champions, ranked in the top 10 globally. If Pulisic and the first-choice lineup can perform against that opposition the way they performed against Senegal on Sunday, the mood heading into the Paraguay opener will be very good indeed.

Nine days to go. The captain is back scoring. The World Cup is almost here.

The USMNT faces Germany on Saturday in Chicago before opening World Cup 2026 against Paraguay on June 12 at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Watch on FOX and Fubo.

USA vs Paraguay — World Cup 2026 Preview: Can the USMNT Deliver on Home Soil?

By World Soccer Wire Editorial

Nine days. That's all that stands between the United States men's national team and the biggest moment in a generation of American soccer. On June 12, in front of a sold-out SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, Mauricio Pochettino's side kicks off its 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay — a team that hasn't been at this tournament since 2010 and is hungry to make up for lost time.

The pressure on the home side is immense. This is a co-hosted tournament, played in American stadiums, in front of American crowds. The USMNT can't afford a stumble in the opener.

The USMNT's Roster Is Deep — But Carries Risk

Pochettino named his 26-man squad on May 26, and the headline moves were hard to miss. Diego Luna — widely expected to make the cut — is out. Gio Reyna is in, a bold call given his injury history but a sign that Pochettino trusts the 23-year-old's creativity when the game needs unlocking.

The spine of the team looks genuinely strong. Christian Pulisic leads the attack after a stellar club season. Folarin Balogun brings finishing ability after 19 goals across all competitions for Monaco. Haji Wright, with 17 goals for Coventry City, gives Pochettino a physical option up front. In midfield, Tyler Adams is the engine — and with Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris both absent, he carries more responsibility than ever.

At the back, Antonee Robinson and Sergino Dest provide width while Chris Richards and the experienced Tim Ream anchor a defense that will need to stay organized against Paraguay's physical press.

Paraguay Are Not Here to Make Up the Numbers

Don't sleep on the Guaraní. Paraguay qualified the hard way — finishing sixth in CONMEBOL qualifying, picking up results against both Argentina and Brazil along the way. Head coach Gustavo Alfaro has built a side defined by defensive organization, work rate, and moments of individual quality.

Captain Gustavo Gómez, 31, with 88 caps and league titles across three countries, organizes a backline that also includes Omar Alderete of Sunderland — one of the more underrated defenders in this tournament. They are not easy to break down.

Going forward, Miguel Almiron — back in MLS with Atlanta United — remains the creative heartbeat. Julio Enciso is the wildcard, capable of producing something brilliant from nowhere. And Diego Gómez, playing for Brighton, is the kind of technically gifted midfielder who thrives in big moments.

The Key Matchup: Pulisic vs. Paraguay's Defense

The game will likely hinge on whether Christian Pulisic can find space between Paraguay's defensive lines. Alfaro sets up compact and disciplined — his teams don't give you room in transition. Pulisic at his best cuts inside, draws fouls, and creates from tight angles. If Robinson and Dest can stretch Paraguay wide and give Pulisic the pockets he needs, the USMNT should create enough.

If Paraguay can keep it tight through the first 30 minutes and absorb the crowd's energy, this gets uncomfortable.

Prediction: USA 2-0 Paraguay

Home field matters enormously in World Cup openers. The crowd at SoFi will be electric, Paraguay will sit deep to start, and the USMNT has the quality to break them down. Pulisic gets on the scoresheet. Balogun adds a second after the hour. Paraguay push late but can't find a way through a composed US defensive unit.

The United States starts Group D with three points — and the country exhales.

USA vs Paraguay kicks off June 12 at 9 p.m. ET from SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. Watch live on FOX and Fubo.

USMNT World Cup Roster Leaked: Diego Luna Out, Gio Reyna In — And Pochettino Has Some Explaining to Do

The 2026 World Cup roster for the US Men's National Team has been obtained by The Guardian ahead of Tuesday's official announcement at Pier 17 in Manhattan, and it's already generating serious debate.

Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man squad is defender-heavy, contains at least one genuinely surprising inclusion, and leaves out two players who most fans assumed were locks. Here's what you need to know — and what it tells us about how Pochettino plans to set up on home soil.

The headline omission: Diego Luna

This is the one that will sting the most. Luna, 22, has been one of the USMNT's most consistent contributors over the past year. He returned from a knee injury in April and went straight back to form for Real Salt Lake — four goals and two assists in seven MLS appearances. He's dynamic, he's young, and he's been a fan favorite.

He's not on the plane.

Pochettino may be taking a more long-term approach with the 22-year-old, but that's cold comfort for fans who watched Luna earn his spot. The omission leaves a real question about the attacking depth behind the front three.

Tessmann out too — but this one's easier to understand

Tanner Tessmann sustained a muscle strain at Lyon two weeks ago, and while he was still anticipated to be included, his omission appears to be injury-related. He featured heavily for Lyon this season and was widely expected to slot into the midfield. Whether this is a permanent door closed or an injury call that could change before June 1's official submission deadline remains to be seen.

The curious inclusion: Gio Reyna

Reyna is a talented but polarizing figure who has made only four USMNT appearances since the Copa América in the summer of 2024. His selection over Luna — who was producing at club level right up until selection — is the decision Pochettino will face the most questions about on Tuesday.

Reyna's ceiling is undeniable. But at a World Cup on home soil, with games that matter from day one, the gap between ceiling and consistency is a real risk.

Alejandro Zendejas gets the nod

Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas earned a spot despite receiving just 139 minutes under Pochettino. That's a significant vote of confidence from a coach who has repeatedly said no one is safe regardless of reputation.

What the roster tells us about Pochettino's plan

This roster reflects exactly what Pochettino set out to build: a squad without entitlement, where competition ran through every position group, and 71 players got a look before 26 were chosen.

The front three of Balogun, Pepi, and Wright is lean — just three pure forwards for six weeks of tournament football. Zendejas offers versatility higher up the pitch, but if Balogun picks up an injury, the depth chart gets thin fast.

What happens next

The official roster announcement is Tuesday, May 26 at Pier 17 on the East River in Manhattan — a live public event with player appearances and entertainment. Official rosters aren't due until June 1, and it's possible these leaks have inaccuracies. With two more friendlies against Senegal and Germany ahead of the Cup, the roster could still shift if FIFA approves injury-related changes.

The World Cup opener is June 11. Pochettino has 18 days to answer every question this roster just raised.