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Christian Pulisic has warned rivals that the USA is ready to go toe-to-toe with the very best teams at this World Cup.
Mauricio Pochettino’s team enjoyed a final send-off game against Germany on Saturday – just six days before kicking off its World Cup campaign against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.
The USA was beaten 2-1 in the friendly at Chicago’s Soldier Field – despite a stunning goal from Antonee Robinson and an encouraging performance that saw the hosts create a number of good chances.
It means the USA has now lost nine consecutive games against European opposition – a run that dates back to the 2022 World Cup. But Pulisic insisted afterwards: ‘We feel like we can play up against anyone right now.’
He continued: ‘Against a really good team, I thought we were dangerous at times. We had good stretches of possession, we defended well for good portions of it and, honestly, we’re feeling good.’
Back in March, the USA was beaten by two more European giants – Belgium and Portugal – but Pulisic believes these tough tests have been ‘important.’
Christian Pulisic believes the USMNT can mix it with the very best teams at the World Cup
Antonee Robinson scored as the USA was beaten 2-1 by Germany in their World Cup send-off
Robinson scored a thunderous left-foot volley and later eased concerns over his fitness
‘We’re going to face teams like this in the World Cup. So we have to be ready to compete with some of the best,’ he said. ‘And yeah, we’ve had good performances but we still want to win these games.’
Against Germany, Pochettino’s team ended the game with more possession and more shots than the four-time World Cup winners, who are currently the No-10 ranked team on the planet.
But they were undone by an early goal from Kai Havertz and a second-half winner by Leroy Sane. Those goals came either side of a thunderous volley by Robinson.
The defender later limped off the field, sparking concern among supporters given his previous injury struggles.
Robinson admitted he struggled to see ‘the light at the end of a tunnel’ and feared his World Cup dreams were over as he battled back from a serious knee injury.
But the Fulham star said he believes he only had cramp against Germany, easing fears over his fitness for next week’s opener against Paraguay.
Robinson toasted his goal with a cartwheel and a backflip, and after the game he was asked if that celebration makes his manager nervous. ‘I’m not sure – I’ve not asked him,’ he said. ‘But I’ll still be doing it so it doesn’t matter!’
