In preparation for their upcoming home friendly against Germany, midfielder Weston McKennie of the U.S. men’s national team expressed a strong determination to demonstrate their ability to compete against the world’s top soccer teams. This encounter, scheduled for Saturday in East Hartford, Connecticut, presents a valuable opportunity for the American squad to gauge their capabilities against a major European power ahead of their co-hosting role in the 2026 World Cup.
McKennie addressed reporters, emphasizing their shift in mentality from merely competing with top-level countries to expecting victory. “We always compared ourselves in terms of, you know, we wanted to compete with top-level countries,” McKennie told reporters. “We expect ourselves to win these games now instead of just competing with them.”
This transformation in attitude was evident when McKennie, a player for Juventus, played a pivotal role in helping the U.S. national team reach the round of 16 during last year’s World Cup in Qatar. This marked a significant turnaround from their humiliating failure to qualify for the 2018 tournament.
The U.S. squad is entering the Saturday showdown on an impressive 13-match unbeaten streak. Following their match against Germany, they are set to face Ghana in another friendly on Tuesday, to be held in Nashville, Tennessee.
The 2026 World Cup holds special significance for the Americans, as they have secured a spot as co-hosts. McKennie expressed the importance of the Germany match, stating, “It’s a great opportunity to kind of see where we’re at, and (to) win these types of games because (they are) the type of games that we have to win to advance the program forward, to advance ourselves forward, and to be successful in the coming years.”
Meanwhile, Germany, who also have their eyes on the future, will face Mexico in Philadelphia on Tuesday. They are eager for redemption following consecutive group stage exits in the last two World Cups.
