CHICAGO — The U.S. soccer team’s final tuneup before the World Cup — a Saturday send-off against four-time champion Germany at sunny, sold-out Soldier Field — was part party, part pep rally but mostly one last semi-serious chance for Mauricio Pochettino to prepare his team for its moment in the summer spotlight.
The festive atmosphere belied the gravity of what lies ahead a half-continent away in six days when Pochettino’s 19 months of curating and shaping, cajoling and adjusting, tweaking and testing will face judgement.
Advertisement
The 2-1 defeat before 63,636 spectators featured defensive frailty and Antonee Robinson’s thunderous tying goal late in the first half. It brought spells of quality play against a quality opponent but also worrying signs about the Americans’ capability of making a deep run when teams such as Germany stand in the way.
After the match, the Americans were scheduled to fly to Southern California and arrive at base camp ahead of the Group D opener against Paraguay on Friday night at SoFi Stadium.
They will also face Australia on June 19 in Seattle and Türkiye on June 25 back in Inglewood, California.
Play 2026 Soccer Pick ‘Em with FOX One and make your picks for the world’s biggest soccer tournament
Advertisement
In a city that did not submit a World Cup bid because of FIFA’s contract terms, fans arriving early at Chicago’s lakefront venue created a World Cup-worthy atmosphere with their display of colors and sounds. With deep heritage in the region, the Germans enjoyed a good swath of the sellout support.
There was a pregame flashback to the last time the World Cup was held in this country, with 15 members of the 1994 U.S. squad, including John Harkes and Cobi Jones, honored on the field.
All 26 current U.S. players, not just the starters, were introduced before kickoff. The group included center back Chris Richards, who wasn’t available again because of an ankle injury. It’s unclear whether he is on pace to play in the opener. In a worst-case scenario, a permanent roster change would have to be made 24 hours before the opener.
After mixing probable starters and reserves in the 3-2 victory over Senegal last Sunday in Charlotte, Pochettino selected a lineup that seemed close to his World Cup picks, sans Richards, whose slot was filled by Miles Robinson.
Advertisement
Matt Freese returned to goal and Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest retained their places as wing backs or fullbacks, depending on the situation. Tim Ream and Alex Freeman, who started against Senegal, joined Miles Robinson on the backline.
Tyler Adams and Malik Tillman were in central midfield supporting Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and striker Folarin Balogun.
The fun backdrop and inconsequential outcome could not shroud the harsh realities facing the U.S. defense entering the World Cup. Less than two minutes after the opening whistle, the Germans scored on a set piece as if they were playing against an under-15 team. (All due respect to U-15s everywhere.)
Captain Joshua Kimmich served a free kick from maybe 30 yards. A week removed from scoring for Arsenal in the Champions League final, Kai Havertz gained inside position on Miles Robinson after Ream had left him.
Advertisement
Freese remained rooted to his line, all but helpless to what was to come.
As he reached the 6-yard box, Havertz headed it home without a challenge. He began his restrained celebration by holding up his palms, as if to say, “I could’ve done that in my sleep.”
The U.S. began to find its way, earning corner kicks and offering occasional dangerous crosses but no serious scoring threats.
That changed in the 37th minute on the booming goal by Antonee Robinson.
Germany’s Jonathan Tah headed Pulisic’s corner kick out of the box. Robinson waited on the ball to drop to him. Instead of letting it bounce, he struck a left-footed volley with extreme velocity and pinpoint accuracy.
Advertisement
It whizzed over goalkeeper Oliver Baumann and just under the crossbar, prompting Robinson to celebrate his fifth international goal with a backflip.
Growing in confidence and courage, the Americans generated several more quality opportunities before missing the target or watching deflections fly wide. The halftime whistle interrupted their momentum but didn’t sour their optimism following the difficult start.
Germany, however, reclaimed the lead in the 57th minute by unlocking the U.S. defense in tight space. Jamal Musiala‘s pass pierced the penalty area. Havertz left the ball for Leroy Sane cutting across the box for a low bid beyond Freese’s reach and into the far corner of the net.
Advertisement
Pochettino began pulling his regulars in the 63rd minute, including Pulisic and McKennie during a four-man swap. Antonee Robinson was supposed to stay in the match, but limped off instead. The extent of the injury wasn’t initially clear.
Nine minutes later, Pochettino replaced six other starters, leaving Freese as the only 90-minute player. Brenden Aaronson tested Baumann in the 87th minute.
The effort was strong until the very end — there was a brief dust-up involving Tim Weah — but the equalizer never came.
No tears were shed over such a loss.
In a few days, however, things get real.
-
-
Kari Anderson
-
Good things might be still to come for the USMNT.
-
Kari Anderson
A scrappy loss for the U.S., whose turn against Germany is salvaged by a stunning Antonee Robinson strike before halftime. Goals from Kai Havertz and Leroy Sané gives the Germans the win in a game that boiled over in the final minutes.
Plenty of lessons to be learned as the team prepares for the group stage next week.
-
Kari Anderson
Timothy Weah, who had already received a warning, is shown a yellow card and gets into a small shoving match with Maximillean Beier, who is also shown a yellow.
With the six minutes of stoppage time underway, tensions have boiled to the point of a scrum between the two teams. Another tough challenge from Weah, this time on David Raum, prompts the skirmish; the teams have to be separated and cleared, but no one is officially punished.
-
Armando Botello II
63, 636 fans packed into Soldier Field on Saturday for the USMNT’s final tune-up before the World Cup, and they got their money’s worth.
Jedi Robinson’s stunning volley gave the sold-out Chicago crowd a moment to roar as the U.S. trailed Germany 2-1 in the closing minutes. Next stop: Southern California where the real thing begins next week.
-
Kari Anderson
What a strike that could’ve been from Brendan Aaronson, who forced Baumann into another save after another stellar shot from distance.
That sets up another corner kick for the U.S., the team’s 10th in total, but it doesn’t end up going anywhere, as Germany’s set piece defending stays strong.
-
Kari Anderson
Joe Scally takes a shot from distance that goes more on-target than expected, forcing Oliver Baumann to tap it out of bounds. That sets up a potential corner kick for the U.S., but it’s well defended by Germany.
Sebastian Berhalter, showing off his technical skills, got veryyy close to keeping the ball in-bounds to keep the corner kick alive, but the referee eventually stops play with the whistle.
-
Kari Anderson
Germany has gotten a couple of close chances in a row here, but the U.S. defense has held well, if a little unstable, against the German attack.
-
Kari Anderson
-
Kari Anderson
Germany’s David Raum is shown a yellow card after colliding with Malik Tillman on a late tackle, as the two teams head into the second half hydration break.
-
Kari Anderson
As Germany makes a slew of changes, including bringing out goal-scorer Kai Havertz, Pochettino also swaps out his lineup after going down 2-1. Gio Reyna, Sebastian Berhalter, Mark McKenzie, and Auston Trusty are on for the U.S., replacing Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Miles Robinson and Antonee Robinson.
Antonee Robinson had appeared to be cramping as the changes were being made, so it makes sense that Pochettino decided not to risk injury there.
-
Kari Anderson
Minutes after skying a dangerous free kick opportunity, Leroy Sané makes up for it by burying Germany’s second goal into the left netting.
That was some great run-up from the Germans, with Sané’s chance coming off the back of a great first touch from Jamal Musiala.
-
Kari Anderson
In a quick interview before the second half kicks off, Pochettino said that he wants the U.S. to “keep pushing.” He also noted that he would be sticking with the same starters for now, but that substitutions would be coming.
“We are going to do all of the changes as we can,” Pochettino said.
For context, Pochettino swapped out 10 players to start the second half against Senegal last week.
-
Armando Botello II
The U.S. is level with Germany 1-1 at Soldier Field in Chicago thanks to a stunning volley from left back Antonee “Jedi” Robinson — who topped off his brilliant strike with a somersault into a full back flip celebration.
Antonee Robinson of United States celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field on June 06, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois.
(Omar Vega/USSF via Getty Images)
Robinson, who earned his nickname at age 5 as a Star Wars fan, pounced on a Pulisic corner that was headed clear by Jonathan Tah, firing a first-time volley into the roof of the net that left goalkeeper Oliver Baumann with absolutely no chance. Germany had taken the lead through Kai Havertz, who headed home a dangerous Joshua Kimmich free kick after a Tyler Adams foul just outside the U.S. box.
The USMNT had looked shaky early but settled well, and they have Robinson’s golazo to thank.
-
Sean Leahy
After a slow start, the U.S. began to be the more threatening side. Kai Havertz opened the scoring in the 2nd minute as the American defense made it easy for Germany to capitalize on a free kick.
As the U.S. found their way into the game, Jedi Robinson’s volley off a corner kick leveled the score at one.
Possession: Germany 51.6%, U.S. 48.4%
Shot attempts: U.S. 9, Germany 4
Shots on goal: Germany 2, U.S. 1
Corner kicks: U.S. 8, Germany 1
Fouls: U.S. 6, Germany 2CHICAGO, ILLINOIS – JUNE 06: Antonee Robinson of United States celebrates after scoring his team’s first goal during the international friendly match between United States and Germany at Soldier Field on June 06, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Jamie Squire/Getty Images)
(Jamie Squire via Getty Images)
-
Sean Leahy
-
Sean Leahy
What a strike by Antonee Robinson to equalize for the U.S. in the 37th minute. It’s his fifth international goal and what a way to mark the occasion.
-
Sean Leahy
20’ – After having to defend in the early minutes of the match and allowing a goal, the U.S. has taken advantage of their counter press to create opportunities in the Germany end of the pitch. Sergiño Dest had a chance sail over the bar and Folarin Balogun has started to ask questions of the visitors’ defense.
-
Sean Leahy
A Tyler Adams foul just outside the U.S. box gave Germany a free kick from a dangerous area. Joshua Kimmich’s curling ball finds Kai Havertz for an easy goal and an early lead on the game’s first shot attempt.
