Latest Team USA News and Notes Ahead of Group Play - 06/09
We’re just a few days away from the start of the 2026 World Cup, which is taking place in North America for the first time since 1994. Among the 48 teams in the field is Team USA, as the men’s national team tries to make a sustained run in the tournament. The goal is to go deeper than any of the modern era iterations of the squad have in recent tournaments.
Team USA has reached the round of 16 in three of the last four World Cups, including in 2022. Their best run, other than their third-place finish in 1930, was a run to the quarterfinals in 2002. Let’s take a look at the latest news surrounding the USMNT ahead of their final tune-up match ahead of the group stage starting later this week.
Team USA Falls in Final International Friendly
In their final international friendly tune-up ahead of group play, the United States fell 2-1 to Germany Saturday in Chicago. The Americans acquitted themselves well but a couple of major defensive lapses proved to be their undoing. A miscue almost immediately led to a goal by Kai Havertz for the Germans in the second minute of the match. That seemed to wake the US team up as they pressured Germany for an extended stretch. Antonee Robinson equalized the match with a stunning blast off a volley in the 37th minute of action. That marker sent the teams to the half even at one goal apiece.
In the second half, after manager Mauricio Pochettino chose to roll with the same lineup he had in the first half, another defensive gaffe put them behind. Leroy Sané finished a nifty passing p\ay in the 57th minute to give Germany the advantage. Down the stretch, substitutes Gio Reyna, Joe Scally and Brenden Aaronson all fired shots on target. Unfortunately, they were turned aside by Germany’s Oliver Baumann, who filled in for starting goaltender Manuel Neuer. That sends the Americans into group play on a down note.
Injury Updates
On the positive side for Team USA, the injury report has improved in the last couple of days. Defender Chris Richards returned to practice Monday in a full capacity. He was injured May 17 when he suffered ligament damage in his ankle while playing for Crystal Palace in the Premier League. That could be a massive boost for the USMNT, who are rather thin when it comes to the position. It remains to be seen if Richards will play a full 90 minutes on Friday against Paraguay or not.
On the other end of the spectrum, Tyler Adams didn’t participate in practice with the rest of the squad. Instead, he was in the gym for what was termed as “load management.” Adams played 45 minutes in the friendly against Senegal last week. Against Germany, he played an extended period before being replaced by Cristian Roldan in the 72nd minute. Clearly, having both Richards and Adams in the lineup, especially at the same time, would be a major boost for the squad in group play.
New DraftKings Customers: Spend $5+ Get $150 in Bonus Bets *Paid Within 14 Days Next Up on the Docket
The Yanks are in action next as they open up Group D p\ay Friday against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium. Entering World Cup action, the USMNT is ranked 16th in the world FIFA rankings while Paraguay is ranked 40th in the rankings. The two sides have met four times previously, though just one of them came in World Cup play. That match came in the inaugural World Cup as the Stars and Stripes prevailed 3-0 on Ju\y 17, 1930. More recently, the sides met in an international friendly on November15, 2025, with the USMNT taking a 2-1 win.
Following that, on June 19, the Americans face Australia, who is 27th in the FIFA rankings. The USMNT beat Australia 2-1 in an international friendly on October 14, 2025. In the USMNT’s Group D finale, they take on Türkiye, who is ranked 22nd in the world, on June 25. When the two sides met in an international friendly on June 7, 2025, it was Türkiye picking up a 2-1 victory.
We’ll see how things unfold from here but to quote Apollo Creed in Rocky III, “There is no tomorrow. There is no tomorrow!” The time for talk and speculation is over. Now, the performance is all that matters.
Up To $1500 in Bonus Bets Paid Back if your First Bet Does Not Win
-
Election Administrator Takes Aim at Prediction Markets in Maryland
-
Kyle Shanahan Limited at 49ers Training Camp After Car Accident
-
MLB Today’s Best Bets for 07/26: Home Run Picks & Top Player Props
-
Third County Places Indiana Casino Vote on November Ballot
-
Kentavious Caldwell-Pope Could Join LeBron James, 76ers After Buyout
-
Prediction Markets News Today 7/25: LeBron James, Netflix Movie