USMNT Vs. Germany — How To Watch, Prediction And Projected Lineups

How to watch USMNT vs. Germany

Time and Venue

Saturday, 2:30 p.m. ET | Soldier Field, Chicago

TV and Streaming

TBS, HBO Max (English) | Telemundo, Peacock (Spanish)

Tickets

Click Here

USMNT and Germany Projected Lineups

USMNT Team News

Center back Chris Richards’ status continues to be in question after he arrived from Crystal Palace with ankle ligament injuries. It has reached to the point where manager Mauricio Pochettino may have to consider an injury-driven roster switch prior to the World Cup opener. And either way, Richards is not going to be available in the Windy City.

Aside from that, the main question going into this one is whether Pochettino continues with what is close to his first-choice lineup – with a massive wave of substitutions coming in the second half – or if he fields a more provisional XI to give the rest of his players some more sharpening and brings the presumed starters in the latter stages for a shakeout.

Given that Pochettino swapped out all but one of his field players by halftime against Senegal, we’re probably more likely to see the former scenario. But there could be tweaks, with striker Folarin Balogun and midfielder Weston McKennie among those most likely to be promoted from their bench role six days prior.

Also, expect to see Matt Freese in goal after he was the only ‘keeper not to play against Senegal.

Projected USMNT Lineup (3-4-3, left to right)

Matt Freese (GK) – Tim Ream, Mark McKenzie, Alex Freeman – Antonee Robinson, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest – Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, Gio Reyna.

Germany Team News

Der Mannschaft made easy work of Finland in their sendoff match in Mainz on Sunday, scoring all their goals between the 34th and 63rd minutes of a 4-0 victory. Deniz Undav had a brace as he continues to parlay his exceptional Bundesliga campaign for Stuttgart into somewhat surprising national team success.

But after playing most of that squad a full 90 minutes, and traveling to the United States two days following the performance, we’re likely to see manager Julian Nagelsmann make wholesale changes against the Americans.

Goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, who came out of international retirement for his fifth World Cup, is an injury doubt for Saturday. Kai Havertz was not yet part of the squad last weekend since he was part of Arsenal’s UEFA Champions League squad on June 30. And veteran defensive midfielder Pascal Groß is likely to see some playing time after remaining on the bench.

Projected Germany Lineup (4-2-3-1, left to right)

Oliver Baumann (GK) – David Raum, Nico Schlotterbach, Waldemar Anton, Joshua Kimmich – Leon Goretzka, Pascal Groß – Florian Wirtz, Kai Havertz, Leroy Sané – Nick Woldemade

USMNT vs. Germany Prediction

The German side has more household names across the world, but there’s a lot of uncertainty surrounding them and their intense manager. In a way that mirrors the dialogue that has followed Pochettino’s undulating USMNT tenure.

But if there’s anything that feels certain, it’s that neither man is likely to be particularly conservative in terms of setup, and would instead rather give license to his attackers to continue working at their chemistry. So much like the game against Senegal, there’s every reason to expect goals.

You’d favor a full-strength German side to defeat the Americans based on pedigree, and on the fact that Soldier Field is likely to feel more like a neutral venue than a home game given Chicago’s huge German-American community. But with a rotated squad, a high-scoring draw might be the most likely of a range of realstic outcomes.

Match Prediction

USMNT 2, Germany 2