An impactful day of US Soccer begins with an initial kickoff at 2:30 PM Eastern time. However, the soccer doesn’t end till at least 7:30 PM. How is that possible, you might ask? If you live and breath US Soccer, consider 4:30-5:30 today your halftime break. Both the senior Men’s and Women’s team battle this afternoon, and while the games are both exhibitions, both sets of players will want to perform at their apex. For the USMNT, it’s the final friendly to prepare for their World Cup Group Stage opener less than a week from now on June 12th. For the USWNT, it’s the first of two friendlies in the land of soccer itself, taking on the Brazilian women’s team in Sao Paulo.

For chronology’s sake, let’s start with the men.

For a deeper dive into the dynamics that preceded these two friendly matches, I myself provided a bit of a dive into the narrative in the matchthread pertainint to the Senegal friendly on May 31st. However, plenty happened in that friendly that will provide some encouraging signs for Poch and his team. The starting backline, sans the recovering lion we call Chris Richards, was solid. Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, and Tim Ream combined well, and seemed destined for a first half clean sheet against the powerful Senegalese attack before Antonee Robinson turned the ball over with an uncharacteristically tired and confused distribution decision that left the 6s and CBs unable to adjust to the counter. Adams and Berhalter looked staunch in the center of the midfield, while Dest, with his back covered by an increasingly impressive Freeman, was restless and irresistible in attack. Pulisic looked incredibly sharp and focused, and Ricardo Pepi noticed. Though there was massive lineup turnover, there were also some positives in the second half. Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun showed all the chemistry, and perhaps more, that Pulisic and Pepi did in the first. Trusty looked like he could serve as legitimate depth in a pinch. It’s worth checking out this youtube highlights package, if you didn’t catch this game.

Now, the US will take on Germany. To get a sense of how prestigious today’s opponent is, it’s Germany. OK, fine, a bit more. Their squad boasts legendary goalkeeper Manuel Neuer, CB Antonio Rudiger, DM Joshua Kimmich, and two clinical offensive fulcrums in Florian Wirtz and Kai Havertz. However, this cycle’s version of Die Mannschaft has not been its most dominant on the pitch, tending toward uneven performances, raising questions about what performances the team will deliver this summer. On top of that, morale has been badly dampened by the loss of Lennart Karl, the sort of 18 year old wunderkind that teams hope will blossom on such stages. In short, the US has a real chance to pick up a full head of steam this afternoon.

Turning to the Women:

This is the first Friendly, and one of the few away opportunities the USWNT experience, given the tendency for international federations to want to play in the US. Get excited, because, for the first time since the team claimed Olympic Gold, the fabled Triple Espresso is back in camp together. Mallory Swanson, Sophia Wilson, and The Washington Spirit’s own, Trinity Rodman will surely all align on the pitch at some point this friendly. The squad overall, needless to say, is loaded with talent, including ascendant winger Emma Sears, Chelsea juggernaut Alyssa Thompson, advanced playmaking devastation masters in the form of Rose Lavelle, and Croix Bethune, and the ever rising global distribution sensation, Lily Yohannes. Spirit CB Tara Rudd will also vie for depth chart supremacy, and will likely feature heavily in at least one if not both friendlies. This window presents a great opportunity to take on one of the world’s most potent squads, as well as take on the future hosts of the upcoming 2027 World Cup and experience what it will be like to play there next summer for the most coveted trophy of them all.

It’s all happening today, and the comment section awaits.

USMNT vs. Germany

Advertised Kick-off Time: 2:30pm Eastern, 11:30am Pacific

Venue: Soldier Field, Chicago

Available TV: TBS (English), Telemundo (Spanish), Universo (Spanish)

Available streaming: HBO Max (English), Peacock (Spanish), FuboTV (Free Trial)

USWNT vs. Brazil

Advertised Kick-off Time: 5:30pm Eastern, 2:30pm Pacific

Venue: Neo Química Stadium, São Paulo

Available TV: TBS (English), Telemundo (Spanish), Universo (Spanish)

Available streaming: HBO Max (English), Peacock (Spanish), FuboTV (Free Trial)