Ive played in a World Cup and understand how the U.S. national team is preparing â and what matters most. Theres one more game until the Americans tournament is underway against Paraguay on June 12, and it’s important to go in with confidence.
This time around, I have a different challenge. Ill be breaking down the USA throughout its journey through the 2026 World Cup, starting with a final tune-up game against Germany.
Here are my keys to the game and a preview of what to expect from Germany and the USA.
When looking at the German national team, the first names that come to mind are probably Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz or Joshua Kimmich. The player I’m watching out for in this game, though, is someone who can exploit a potential weakness in the U.S. defense.
Sane is the player Im highlighting because it ties into what Im worried about with the United States. The former Manchester City star is a fast, left-footed winger who generally plays on the right side. He can dribble in either direction, cut in on his left foot or drag the ball toward the touchline.
Tim Ream and Antonee “Jedi” Robinson on the left side of the U.S. defense will be defending Sane. When Robinson is high up the field and Germany gets the ball in transition, theres a chance youre going to have Sane against Tim in open space. After watching the friendly against Senegal, that wouldnt be ideal for this U.S. team.
This will be less of an issue in the group stage of the World Cup for the United States against Paraguay, Australia and Türkiye. As you get into the knockout rounds, though, youre going to face players who are able to exploit that pace and potentially cause problems for Ream.
Ream will be important in controlling buildouts for the U.S. team, but in the first 20 minutes against Senegal last Saturday, he had some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to dangerous chances.
Additionally, there were a few moments when the ball went wide, and Ream wasnt immediately close enough. He did the right thing in that situation of delaying the attack and waiting 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 find himself in more one-on-one moments out wide against Germany, as well.
Im curious to see how Wes plays and how much of the game he can dictate. We know how good he is in attack, but can he be effective on both sides of the ball?
Wes played the second half against Senegal after Pochettino made 10 changes at halftime. He did very well, especially defensively, showing a grit and leadership that came with wearing the captains armband for the second half.
Wes is expected to start in the midfield next to Tyler Adams, who can cover a lot of ground defensively and potentially give him freedom to move forward. Still, against a team like Germany that can cause problems for the U.S. quickly in transition, my former U.S. teammate has to put in a strong shift on both ends of the field.Â
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 middle of the pitch, while Wes and Yunus covered the rest of the midfield, all the way out to the sideline. This will be a good test against Germany entering the tournament.
How well McKennie plays and how much of the game the American midfield can dictate will determine what the U.S. can get out of the game.
The U.S. may need a different mentality against Germany compared with how it started against Senegal. The starting lineup played 45 minutes together before 10 substitutions at halftime. Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to press high up the field, and youre going to empty the tank when you know youre only going to play 45 minutes.
I was very impressed with the compactness of the team against Senegal and hope we see that again agai
