PORTALBERITA.CO.ID - The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is scheduled to engage in its decisive final preparation match before the World Cup kicks off, facing the formidable German squad. This crucial contest is slated to occur just six days before the global tournament officially commences, as reported by The Guardian.
The match will be hosted at Soldier Field in Chicago, the current home venue for the NFL's Chicago Bears, where an expected sell-out crowd is anticipated for the clash. This fixture against the four-time world champions represents the ultimate barometer for Mauricio Pochettino’s squad.
The American side carries significant positive momentum into this encounter, having secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Senegal in their preceding friendly match held in Charlotte. This recent success demonstrated the team's resilience and attacking prowess under pressure.
Goals scored by Sergiño Dest, Christian Pulisic, and Folarin Balogun were instrumental in securing that win for the US, allowing them to withstand a spirited second-half resurgence spearheaded by Senegal's Sadio Mané.
Germany enters this friendly occupying the 10th position in the official FIFA rankings, thus providing the United States with a significant and rigorous challenge. This test is vital for assessing readiness ahead of potential high-stakes matchups in the World Cup knockout stages later this month.
Historically, these two nations have crossed paths three times previously within the context of past World Cup tournaments. Their most emotionally charged encounter remains the 2002 quarter-final, where the United States ultimately succumbed to a contentious 1-0 defeat.
Manager Mauricio Pochettino has confirmed making five necessary adjustments to the starting XI that triumphed over Senegal in the previous friendly outing. These changes aim to fine-tune tactics and test depth against elite opposition.
The revised lineup will feature Matt Freese starting in goal, supported by Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Miles Robinson, and Folarin Balogun taking their places on the field. Tim Ream has been designated to wear the captain's armband for this key fixture against Germany.
Furthermore, Christian Pulisic is set to achieve a significant personal milestone during this preparation match, earning his 86th international cap for the USMNT. This appearance further solidifies his status as a veteran leader within the squad structure.
