SouthernWorldwide.com – With the 2026 FIFA World Cup on the horizon, the United States men’s national soccer team has concluded its series of friendly matches, facing Senegal and Germany in their final tune-ups.
These matches provided valuable insights, revealing both strengths and areas for improvement. The team secured a 3-2 victory against Senegal and suffered a 2-1 defeat against Germany.
Two former US World Cup players, Maurice Edu and Walker Zimmerman, have shared their perspectives on the three most significant takeaways from these friendlies.
Maurice Edu noted that while the U.S. displayed positive periods of play in both matches, the team conceded multiple goals in each game. The defensive setup saw variations, with three center-backs deployed in both fixtures. Alex Freeman and Tim Ream started both games, while Mark McKenzie featured against Senegal and Miles Robinson against Germany. Despite these adjustments, the U.S. conceded two goals in each encounter.
Edu suggested that having McKenzie or Robinson start alongside Chris Richards could have been a viable option. He emphasized that when healthy, Richards is a key component in the central defense, flanked by Freeman and Ream. The recent full training session by Chris Richards on Monday is a positive indicator of his readiness for the upcoming match against Paraguay.
Walker Zimmerman highlighted the differing defensive approaches adopted by the U.S. against Senegal and Germany. Against Senegal, the team maintained a more compact defensive shape, allowing for a higher press and greater distance between the defense and attack, approximately 20-25 yards. In contrast, facing a strong German side, the U.S. had to adopt a more compact structure, with the gap between defense and attack widening to around 35 yards.
Zimmerman also found it beneficial that Germany’s defensive tactics were fluid. Germany employed various pressing strategies against the American defense, sometimes pressing high on the backline in a 4-3-3 formation, and at other times dropping deeper into a 4-4-2. The ability to build attacks against these diverse defensive structures served as an excellent preparation for the varied challenges expected in the tournament.
Following Antonee Robinson’s impressive goal, Zimmerman felt the team responded well for the remainder of the first half against Germany. This period showcased the U.S. as a dangerous attacking threat, applying pressure on Germany and competing effectively until halftime.
Furthermore, Zimmerman believes that the first goal conceded against Germany, while disappointing, could prove beneficial in the long run. It provided the team with an opportunity to re-evaluate their set-piece defense. He specifically pointed out Kai Havertz’s ability to find space and score without significant defensive pressure as an area needing improvement.
The focus now shifts to emphasizing the critical importance of set pieces throughout the tournament. Zimmerman expressed hope that the team has learned valuable lessons regarding organization and communication necessary for defending every set piece with the required urgency.
This week will be dedicated to fine-tuning tactical elements and ensuring players recover and build fitness in preparation for the USA’s World Cup opener against Paraguay.
Maurice Edu reiterated that when the U.S. plays at its highest level, it can pose significant challenges to even the best teams in the World Cup. The U.S. demonstrated its attacking potential by creating chances and looking dangerous against both Senegal and Germany.
Christian Pulisic delivered a standout performance against Senegal, earning man-of-the-match honors. Folarin Balogun contributed a goal against Senegal and remained a lively presence in attack against Germany.
Edu stressed the crucial need for the team to be clinical in front of goal. He warned that in matches against top-tier opponents in the tournament, missed opportunities will be punished. Beyond offensive capabilities, Edu praised the team’s resilience and character in their response after conceding an early goal against Germany. This fighting spirit will be a vital asset moving forward.
