CHICAGO – It was the perfect setting for a final send-off friendly before the World Cup. An iconic, sold-out football stadium in the United States’ third-biggest city served as the venue for the U.S. men’s national team’s clash with Germany in a game that coincided with the 82nd anniversary of D-Day.
But just as the game began, so did the rain. And then, suddenly, the buzz was truly dampened.
An unmarked Kai Havertz gave Germany the lead in the second minute. The Arsenal striker headed the ball past Matt Freese off a pinpoint Joshua Kimmich free kick delivered from the doorstep of the U.S. penalty box. For about ten more minutes Germany was dictating, but the USMNT’s starters – like the rotated lineup in the second half last week after Senegal had equalized – grew into the game. They gained control and equalized through Antonee Robinson’s wonder-strike to make it 1-1 at halftime.
RIP IT AND FLIP IT! A WORLDY FROM JEDI!#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/3rXxlvHSLz
— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) June 6, 2026
“The reaction was really positive, and after, we finish the first half. We dominate Germany, and we create chances,” manager Mauricio Pochettino said postgame.
“The boys responded really well. To concede early against a team like that is always pretty s—,” Tyler Adams said.
“Sometimes when you get punched in the mouth, you gotta stand back up and punch back,” Tim Ream said. “All the guys stepped up, flying around, tackles, the one-v-one duels, just making life really, really difficult [for Germany] after conceding so early, so really, really encouraging response for sure.”
Pochettino acknowledged he was upset in the moment, but he framed conceding so early as an “amazing challenge” and he came away satisfied that his side proved “we can deal with this type of situation we can find in the future.”
