Antonee Robinson seizes chance to impress but USMNT given stark World Cup warning

The USMNT ended their World Cup preparations with a 2-1 loss to Germany in an evenly-contested contest at Soldier Field in Chicago in front of 63,636 fans.

Mauricio Pochettino used the game to give 22 of his players a runout, starting with a strong looking lineup that was given almost an hour of action.

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Getty

After a win over Senegal last Sunday in Charlotte, the final test was four-time World Cup winners Germany at a sold out Soldier Field.

talkSPORT’s USMNT correspondent Ben Jacobs, who will track Pochettino and his team’s journey through this summer’s showpiece, was in the Windy City to get the lowdown on final preparations.

What questions Pochettino has answered and has the last week offered any clues ahead of their Group D challenge against Paraguay, Australia and Turkey.

Selection and formation clues

The most notable absentee was the injured Chris Richards, but the Crystal Palace defender is already back in training.

There is optimism he’ll be available for the World Cup opener against Paraguay, but after Mark McKenzie partnered Tim Ream against Senegal, Miles Robinson got the start in Chicago.

It will be interesting to see whether, when Richards returns, Pochettino opts for a back-three to help support captain Tim Ream, or prefers a 4-2-3-1 formation.

Importance of Premier League pair

Jedi Robinson scored a stunning volley after Christian Pulisic’s corner was half-cleared.

A back-three would allow the Fulham full-back more freedom to get forwards, and Tyler Adams is extremely capable of offering defensive cover.

The Bournemouth midfielder will surely prove one of the USMNT’s most important players.

The Weston McKennie dilemma

Who partners Adams has been a hot topic, especially after Pochettino omitted Tanner Tessman.

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McKennie was given a deeper role against Germany but is at his best when afforded more freedom.

The advantage Pochettino has is McKennie is incredibly versatile, but if the USMNT are to get to the quarter-finals of beyond, goal contributions from the Juventus midfielder will be needed.

Pulisic must put chances away

Like McKennie, Pulisic shoulders the burden of providing offensive output which is why it was so encouraging to see him getting a goal and assist in the 3-2 victory over Senegal.

Pulisic had two back-to-back close range chances against Germany but wasn’t clinical this time as Oliver Buamann denied him at his near post on each occasion.

The good news is Pulisic is creating chances and scoring early in the World Cup could do wonders in helping him go on a goal streak.

There is still a bit of connection lacking between Pulisic and Folarin Balogun, but don’t rule out the latter, who is the kind of profile Pochettino loves, stepping up a gear once the competitive football starts.

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Matt Freese over Matt Turner

At the other end, it would be a surprise if Matt Freese doesn’t start in goal as Pochettino’s number one, having been given the nod over Matt Turner for Germany.

It is unlikely Pochettino will keep chopping and changing his keepers. Freese didn’t have a great deal to do against Germany, particularly in the first half and made a smart stop low to his left to deny Felix Nmecha in the second half.

There was not much he could have done to stop Kai Havertz’s close-range header or Leroy Sane’s low shot, which took a slight deflection off Robinson.

Plenty of promise

The USMNT might have lost the game to Germany, but they held their own for large parts and were on top for a 25 minute spell to close the first half.

Pochettino has never put too much importance on the results of friendlies, but he’ll have been glad to beat Senegal following March losses to Belgium and Portugal.

Defeat to Germany doesn’t hugely alter the momentum of that victory, but the USMNT need to tighten up defensively if they are to go on and win their group.

There is plenty of promise on show yet, in big games, Pochettino will be challenging his squad to put in a complete 90 minute performance.

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