ESPN
U.S. sharp in narrow WC sendoff loss to Germany
The United States lost 2-1 to Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday in its last match before the start of the FIFA World Cup, turning in another solid performance after Sunday's 3-2 win over Senegal.
Kai Havertz opened the scoring for Germany with a header in the second minute that caught U.S. goalkeeper Matthew Freese flat-footed, but the Americans grew into the game immediately after giving up the early goal.
Toward the end of the second half, Antonee Robinson equalized for the U.S. with a stunning volley from 23 yards out, blasting the ball past Oliver Baumann in the German goal to make it 1-1 at the break.
Mauricio Pochettino didn't make any changes at halftime to a U.S. side that had the momentum as the first half came to a close, but a clever move from Germany set Leroy Sané up for a first-time finish to put the visitors back in front just before the hour mark.
This was the last match for the U.S. before the start of the World Cup, where it will begin Group D play against Paraguay on Friday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, before games against Australia and Türkiye.
Germany, which has failed to get out of the group stage at the last two World Cups, kicks off its campaign against Curaçao on June 14 and will face Ecuador and Ivory Coast after that in Group E.
The match drew a sellout crowd of 63,636 to Soldier Field, site of the 1994 World Cup opener. Chicago refused to bid to host 2026 World Cup matches, citing what it said was a lack of financial assurances by FIFA.
The U.S. played without top defender Chris Richards, sidelined since tearing a pair of left ankle ligaments May 17.
Germany was missing 18-year-old midfielder Lennart Karl, ruled out for the World Cup after injuring a thigh in training. Baumann started in goal as Manuel Neuer rested while recovering from a calf muscle issue.
Freese started in goal for the 15th time in 18 matches after Matt Turner got the start in the USMNT's previous game against Senegal.
Germany went ahead after Tyler Adams' foul just outside the penalty area. Joshua Kimmich's free kick was headed in by Havertz for his 22nd international goal.
Robinson scored his fifth international goal after Germany's clearance attempt on Christian Pulisic's corner kick went just outside the area. Robinson celebrated with a cartwheel and a backflip.
Information from ESPN Global Research and The Associated Press was used in this report.
