The AC Milan star scored a stunner, but the U.S. ultimately crumbled against the No. 15-ranked FIFA side in the world rankings.
In the week leading up to Saturday's friendly against Germany, the U.S. men's national team discussed what an opportunity this was. It was a chance to make a statement, a chance to prove they can hang with the big boys of international soccer.
And hang they did, at least for a while. For the first 45 minutes, the USMNT went toe-to-toe with the Germans ina n open, attacking game. Both teams scored a goal, the USMNT through a stunning Christian Pulisic finish and Germany on a Ilkay Gundogan goal following a mazy Leroy Sane run. Both teams were also content to play on the front foot.
It was a half that showed, in some ways, how far the USMNT has come. The second half, though, showed how far the USMNT still has to go.Niclas Fullkrug and Jamal Musiala scored goals within three minutes of one another, dooming the USMNT to a 3-1 defeat. While the USMNT was able to go toe-to-toe with Germany for stretches, they couldn't maintain it as individual errors doomed the U.S. to defeat.
Aside from Pulisic and Matt Turner, few USMNT players will leave Saturday's game feeling happy about their efforts as the U.S. squandered a friendly that everyone felt meant much more.
Australia Latest News, Australia Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Promising USMNT performance slips away in second half as Germany wins friendly 3-1USMNT captain Christian Pulisic opened the scoring in the 27th minute.
Read more »
Christian Pulisic scores stunning strike for USA in friendly against GermanyChristian Pulisic scored a rasping drive to give USA an early lead against Germany.
Read more »
A chance to change perceptions: Why the USMNT are taking Germany friendly so seriouslyIt may be just a friendly, but Saturday's match against Germany means so much more to the USMNT.
Read more »
USMNT vs Germany: Live stream, TV channel, kick-off time & where to watchWhere to watch the international friendly match online between United States and Germany, including live streams, TV channels, kick-off time and more.
Read more »
- USMNT star Christian Pulisic recalls VAR chaos in Milan vs Genoa where he volunteered to play goalkeeper, until Olivier Giroud stepped inIn AC Milan's tumultuous 1-0 victory over Genoa last weekend, Christian Pulisic claimed he offered to play keeper before Olivier Giroud took over.
Read more »