CHICAGO — There are no more excuses. No more friendlies. No more “we’re still building something.”

On Saturday night at Soldier Field, the United States lost their final preparation match before the 2026 FIFA World Cup, falling 2-1 to a strong German side.

But while the result went against them, the performance told a more nuanced and ultimately encouraging story.

Early Setback, Strong Response

Germany needed just two minutes to draw first blood.

A well-delivered set piece saw Kai Havertz rise unmarked and power a header past Matt Freese.

It was the kind of clinical start expected from a four-time world champion.

What followed, however, was impressive from the USMNT.

Instead of folding, Mauricio Pochettino’s side grew into the game. They pressed higher, moved the ball with more purpose, and began asking real questions of the German defense.

Then came the moment of the night.

In the 37th minute, Antonee Robinson produced something special.

Collecting the ball on the left side, the Fulham full-back took a touch and unleashed a rocket of a left-footed volley from 25 yards.

The ball smashed against the underside of the crossbar and bounced into the net.

Pure thunder. Pure quality.

The Soldier Field crowd erupted, and for a moment, the USMNT looked like they could beat anyone.

Germany’s Quality Proves Decisive

The Americans carried momentum into the second half, but Germany’s superior individual quality eventually told.

In the 57th minute, Leroy Sané found space on the right and curled a precise effort into the far corner, restoring the lead.

Despite pushing for an equalizer late on, the USMNT couldn’t find a second goal.

Final score: Germany 2, United States 1.

What We Learned

The Good

• The attack showed real teeth. Robinson’s goal was world-class, and there were promising combinations involving Christian Pulisic, Gio Reyna, and the strikers.
• Character and resilience were evident. Coming back from an early deficit against a top European side is no small thing.
• Depth is starting to look legitimate. Players like Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi are pushing each other hard.

The Concerns

• Defensive lapses on set pieces and in transition remain an issue. Germany punished them twice with relatively little fuss.
• Consistency over 90 minutes is still a work in progress. The USMNT looked excellent in patches but faded at key moments.

Pochettino’s View

“We showed good things tonight, especially after going down early. We need to eliminate those small mistakes at this level. But I saw progress, and that’s important.”

After the match, the Argentine coach was measured but positive about the direction of the team.

Final World Cup Warm-Up Complete

This result caps a mixed but ultimately upward-trending preparation period.

The win over Senegal last weekend combined with a competitive showing against Germany should give the squad genuine belief heading into the tournament.

The USMNT now turns its full attention to Friday, June 12, when they open Group D against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

A strong start on home soil could set the tone for what everyone hopes will be a memorable summer.

For one night, Soldier Field got to see both the potential and the ceiling of this young American side. Now the real test begins.