Testing themselves against one of Europe’s elite on the eve of their home tournament was a bold choice by the USA, and a packed-out Soldier Field let out a collective groan as their side went behind less than two minutes in.
Joshua Kimmich’s free-kick delivery landed perfectly on the head of an unmarked Kai Havertz, who repeated his early impact from the UEFA Champions League final by nodding past Matt Freese.
Despite having to weather some further subsequent attacks, the hosts worked hard to flip the momentum and were soon the more promising of the two sides.
Things weren’t quite clicking in the final third, but Antonee Robinson showed why they didn’t need to 10 minutes from the break when he took a cleared corner on the full volley at the edge of the box, sending a rocket into the roof of Oliver Baumann’s net.
That gave the USA confidence to push on, resulting in strikes over the top from Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic leading up to half-time.
The early goal had masked an overall poor first-half performance from Germany, and they continued to be overrun despite again taking the lead.
Pulisic had just forced a fantastic double save out of Baumann when they launched a counter, ending in Havertz teeing up Leroy Sane to rifle into the far bottom corner from the edge of the box.
Joe Scally tried that himself a few minutes later at the other end, only for Baumann to again tip it wide, before Brenden Aaronson’s late strike met the same fate.
The Stars and Stripes couldn’t ultimately beat the German stopper again before the final whistle, but USMNT fans have reason to be optimistic about the upcoming tournament, with home support and the capable tutelage of Mauricio Pochettino a potentially prosperous combination.
The loss of Lennart Karl through injury a few days ago has certainly hurt Germany, but it would still be a major surprise if they don’t better their dismal group-stage exits in 2018 and 2022.
Flashscore Man of the Match: Nico Schlotterbeck (Germany)
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