Was USMNT’s performance vs. Germany a preview of the 2026 World Cup? | ESPN FC Extra Time

[@ortforshort7652]

If Berhalter is still there, it is with total certainty a preview of the 2026 World Cup. The US has strengths with talented fast and athletic midfielders. It has weaknesses on defense, particularly team defense, and it does not have a defense capable of playing out from the back. We need a coach who can scheme to those strengths and weaknesses. And we need a coach who is savvy on the international stage who can scheme to the strengths and weaknesses of world class opposition. We don't currently have that coach.

[@burneraccount9829]

Seb's luggage game is A+

[@g00nther]

I love ExtraTime and the hosts so much: Dan, Kay and Seb 🤣 Today was crazy

[@Jesse_E5150]

The way Germany plays in the box 🥵 This game should have been 1-5

[@adrockis25]

It was a blowout. USMNT far away with their current tactics. With a better coach could be more competitive but probably would still lose

[@dmoney668]

The problem was Greg had his defender sit back and not press them in the box

[@guccimane8941]

My man seb just doing things the spartan way. Respect!

[@saqimadvaith7408]

One of the best extra times 😂

[@cstew8656]

Ggg is a joke. Betty Crocker too. Flying to Nashville on Monday for the game tho.

[@brandonbrown5127]

keep keepin it real Seb

[@DavidWilliams-nm5jv]

Yes. Berhalter is completely outmatched by the top coaches in the world. TERRIBLE choice by USS bring him back. I was so excited about our possibilities in '26 before he was re-announced.

[@a-walpatches6460]

It's very easy to blame the manager when you don't want to face that your players are completely outmatched when playing a top ten nation.

[@ofrhythm]

​@@a-walpatches6460our squad is a top 10 squad

[@therealking6202]

​@@a-walpatches6460Dude, STFU. You're an idiot. If you were aware of anything, you would know that at the last World Cup one of the biggest complaints about Berhalter was his inability to adapt. He's simply not a good coach. So, the fact that we saw exactly the same thing gives us the right to criticize the manager. So why don't you pipe down, shut that little piehole of yours, and just remember that even if we can't beat you in soccer we can still turn your country into a parking lot. So have a little respect.

[@therealking6202]

And yes, I fully agree. I've been going on US Soccer KZbin and Facebook and complaining about the rehire. Absolutely pathetic. US Soccer is a joke.

[@a-walpatches6460]

@@ofrhythm You think the US is a top 10 squad? 🤣 Brazil, Argentina, France, Belgium, England, Italy, Spain, Germany, Holland, Portugal, Denmark and Croatia are the top 12. Then there's teams like Japan and Czech Republic who despite their world ranking (the ranking system is broken outside of the top teams) are lightyears ahead of you. The US are arguably in the top 20 but there's a HUGE drop off after the top 12.

[@nitsujnewbie1408]

USA will not get out of the group stage with this coach.

[@thelinedrive]

Depends on the group, but the definitely don’t go further than the knockouts.

[@beyoncessidenigga4738]

They definitely getting out the group because they will be in pot 1 as hosts & there’s a chance to qualify to knockouts even if u get 3rd in the group

[@PolarBearVolcano]

The point is this manager sucks. U.S. need to hire a proven international manager, not homegrown ones. From S. America or Europe.

[@JamesCM86]

Or players. Can’t blame it all on the coach.

[@thelinedrive]

@@JamesCM86 yes you can, especially in games like this where his tactics actively hinder what his players do best.

[@EpicGammingCrew]

Ale is 100% correct. USMNT has no backup plan. Way worse versions of us in the past have achieved way more cause they understood what they were

[@Photosoflife]

Is anyone actually surprised? We play virtually all our games at home against mediocre to very poor opposition.

[@TheJefers123]

I thought the USMNT did decent for the first 25-30 minutes but I also expected Germany to have something to say after the last few bad games

[@antoniopastrana2275]

Equipo mediocre y pobres ? La sub 21 de alemania es mejor que la titular de Estados Unidos… de qué hablas ?

[@ishrendon6435]

​@@antoniopastrana2275shut up homie

[@Photosoflife]

@antoniopastrana2275 El equipo estadounidense tiene talento. Pero el nivel de CONCACAF todavía es muy malo. Jugamos la mayoría de nuestros partidos contra equipos de baja nivel. A causa de eso, no estamos listos para los mejores como Alemania.

[@ToxicGamerDaddy]

​@TheJefers123 yes a little surprised i dont know if the 2002 version of the usmnt is better than the 2023 or if the germany team is better than their 2002 version

[@wesleygeorgiev4243]

If Berhalter stays, we will have wasted our golden generation.

[@josecabrera6391]

When don is on always gonna be a good one

[@ANJIN-p4q]

Greg needs to go immediately. This squad is far too talented for that clueless goose to coach.

[@recifebra3]

actually the squad is NOT that talented or else they'd win!! They are arrogant like you and think they don't have to defend to win -- they are NOT better than 90% of all teams that continually make the 1/4 finals --- Germany hasn't even done that recently --- shows you how far they are behind. Not much to do w/coaching, unless you're talking youth coaching b/c our defenders still can't pass and are the worst in world football.

[@malzagod1429]

No if anything it is the most overrated squad of all time

[@franklinshaki9]

Yes please it’s embarrassing.

[@48-Ny]

The team is talented in the attacking areas but it's lacking in the defensive side. There is no balance. Coach can't solve that problem.

[@paullu5139]

@@48-NyAre you slow? He absolutely can! If anything if X or Y aren’t good enough then nothing is stopping him from dropping those players?

[@tomek5019]

Thank you for one of the funniest shows. There is a trend out there among mothers who think it is cruelty and bullying if their teenage sons get the type of treatment that Seb got from the panel here. In fact it is good old harmless male fun that is apparently not possible among the wimpy teenage boys being raised in present times.

[@shanefoy3720]

The wokey soft as fck world we live in mate where adults can't be adults they have to be kids just like their own kids is so fcked up, this snowflake world 🙄 😒 😑

[@mpunkthb1214]

Here in Germany big topic after the Game: We've all liked Pulisic since he was at Dortmund... but he should have gotten a yellow card for that "diver á la Jürgen Klinsmann 2.0"!😂

[@sevvvs]

Berhalter is a P.E. coach, we need a real manager. The guy that was interim manager had better tactics than Berhalter for crying out loud.

[@Scotty80C]

Super troopers reference. Well done!

[@saqimadvaith7408]

Seb is such a great host ❤

[@jajel2274]

Good job Seb

[@myp0h]

Always good for seb when craig isnt there.

[@parkeranimations3671]

Idk why we changed formations in the 2nd half. Then Greg realized he fucked up and switched back but it was too late.

[@shaquillefraser500]

From now on you pondits should stop criticizing atletico Madrid about the way they play there football

[@saif19845]

Exactly

[@jaysmith2858]

It may not be the greatest type of football to watch, but if every team played the same way e.g. like Man City with their pass, pass, pass, pass football, things would get boring.

[@ChrisGrande]

“Natural Stevie” that’s fantastic

[@jaysmith2858]

I'd watch it.

[@strongwomanswanson6711]

Nagelsman said in German media, that he was surprised by the weather and he didnt pack anything for the rain, not even a jacket, so he was given this shirt, we all saw by Sandro Wagner his Co.

[@mikepearson3226]

Steve Nicol would do a better job with this US team than Bernhalter. Defensively, the team is not good enough and yes it was a repeat of that disastrous effort against the Netherlands in the last World Cup!!!

[@dky2006]

And by the way, Japan beat Germany twice, most recently 4-1. And they just beat Canada 4-1. We should be talking about them, not USMNT. That's the team to watch in 2026, outside of the usual powerhouses.

[@davidvandruff9368]

Agreed, we need a change in how we play. Find the players strengths and play them. We just continue to force a coaches system. The first half definitely looked better, but half two???? Yikes... Why did GGG change back to his ole 433??? At least he tried to play catch up and switch back. We'll see what happens against Ghana. Not holding my breath.

[@Swiss-Rome]

Seb getting thst Lil Bro treatment 😂❤

[@NWSLdaily]

My boy seb is one of the 60% of Americans living paycheck to paycheck love to see it. Struggling together 🤣

[@rafiqhmachiavelli3514]

whoaaa, don, st vincent is my homeland. loved that little bit

[@zdbrownie]

Berhalter is going to waste this talented group. No tactics no adjustments, just a bad formation for the players he has and then nothing. Terrible coach.

[@matthewmaayen1088]

Seb first day out luggage

[@kevinmatthew1050]

1st half we looked great but Berhalter is always out coached doesn't know how to make adjustments.

[@tomm9963]

Why are Yanks surprised they lost to Germany? Germany might have struggled for a few years but they're still head and shoulders above the American team

[@baccamau80]

Because germany so weak from France

[@maxlgaudi8386]

they won against france@@baccamau80

[@tomm9963]

@@baccamau80 Yeah they're weak but still stronger than the US team

[@baccamau80]

@@tomm9963 no, usa is stronger than germany

[@DNW28]

​@@baccamau80stick to watching cartoons because you know nothing about football

[@brew9408]

The US has enough talent with so many players in Europe to be able to compete, but none of these players are going to take that next step up under Berhalter. We've seen all we need to see from him as a head coach, it's is INSANELY unlikely that anything changes.

[@RoshaneMoxam]

I love this show!! 😂

[@byronc6790]

STEVIE with yeh VAMOs Venezuela

[@apokaliptoh4709]

Why is this guy the coach for the nation team?!

[@Maxgomez3]

I said it and I'll say it again COACH SUXXXXX!!!!!

[@malzagod1429]

Players suck too

[@sushipizza4439]

@@malzagod1429still the best US team ever. Says a lot

[@zachleeson9304]

Seems like US players are really good at following Gregg's instructions almost perfectly despite knowing it's not going to work

[@Maxgomez3]

​@malzagod1429 whatever messi nut luver

[@kumingo]

USMNT hyped up always. The best team was the 2002 squad. Loved watching the team at that World Cup.

[@Howlertakesyt]

Seb is the best ESPN host tbh

[@a-walpatches6460]

🤣

[@jeffreyprehn5768]

The US won’t get within sniffing distance of the final

[@mauisunsetoceanfrontcondos4722]

Worse teams beat better teams all the time. They use tactics that give them a chance. If we were defensively set-up in an organized way and then used our fast counter attackers to hit teams over the top and down the channels we would have a chance to stick with better teams.

[@StylistecS]

World Cup? It’s a preview to Copa America lol

[@jonathana6943]

They ain't making it pas the group stage tbh

[@arx48]

the background music is way too loud

[@tripperdelaluna1]

Steve - The USMNT is not Scotland and should not be compared. The sky is the limit for US soccer - Scotland can only do so much and you know this.

[@charleshammer2928]

Sky is the limit? You're like Giants fans who thought they were going to win the Super Bowl this season.

[@tripperdelaluna1]

@@charleshammer2928 Hi - I don't really know what you are talking about - I don't watch American football. I was just saying that comparing Scotland and the US is like apples to oranges. Scotland has done just about all they can do as a footballing nation and the US has no where to go but up.

[@charleshammer2928]

@@tripperdelaluna1 The USA has not progressed one bit, since 1990.

[@tripperdelaluna1]

@@charleshammer2928 Do you follow US soccer?

[@charleshammer2928]

@@tripperdelaluna1 My father had NASL Cosmos season's tickets for 5 years when Pele, Beckenbauer, Neeskens, Big George Chinaglia, Bogiecevic played for them and a pretty good American Goalkeeper named Shep Messing. I even remember Mordehai Spiegler the greatest Israeli footballer ever who played for them 1 season. I never watch MLS, however. In Europe I follow my beloved Eagles of Lazio.

[@abhinav2898]

hahaha speaking of airing your dirty laundry in public...

[@dunno558]

If this coach stays more longer USMNT is in trouble.

[@superikura2453]

Happy seeing the sons of Japan battling it out😂

[@Silverback1969]

Yes.

[@NobAkimoto]

Why is the US ranked...11th while Japan's ranked 19th? I mean, yeah, AFC opponents aren't the greatest, but I'm pretty sure South Korea, Saudi Arabia, Australia, Iran, even Qatar are better than the slate of teams than all of the CONCACAF teams up to and including the US, Canada, and Mexico.

[@a-walpatches6460]

The ranking system is highly flawed.

[@figofigo7908]

Funny Qatar never win the Gold cup despite being invited u know nothing

[@NobAkimoto]

Your point being, what? None of the invitees including powerhouses like Brazil have ever won the Gold Cup though they almost always get to the knockout stages (as Qatar did in both '21 and '23.)

[@airsoftshooter5]

Chill, besides Japan..none of those teams are better than Mexico or USA

[@gabrielrichard4318]

CG needs to go and should never have come back . Not because they lost because they will always lose under him .

[@yyzsupra8338]

3 yrs prior y'all using this as a barometer....i feel for stevie sitting between you 2. Eeeesh...

[@thebat7048]

Stevie saying Scotland can't play like Brazil but anything is possible when we have the best player in world football right now in Scotty McTominay 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿

[@Photosoflife]

@thebat7048 The irony is McTominay is English with an English accent. He only plays for Scotland because he wouldn’t get into the English squad.

[@thebat7048]

@@Photosoflife Go and Google have usmnt ever have foreign players and look at the long,long,looooong list of players born in other countries that have played for you.. Mctominay may have been born in another country but his father was Scottish he was a Scotland fan growing up 🙄

[@Photosoflife]

@thebat7048 I know that about the USMNT and McTominay’s father. He’s still not Scottish. He’s English.

[@richardthegingerbo909]

The problem is . . . Scotland is Scotland.

[@thebat7048]

@@Photosoflife Jealousy will get you nowhere my friend..Reyna he's English Dest he's Dutch your whole country is made up of immigrants plus 46 Scottish guys who over the years have played for you...Every country in the world more or less have a player or players that play for them that weren't born in said country but qualify through heritage so 🤫

[@sumethanarulanantham9676]

Julian out for is Dope !! These outdated pundits knows nothing about fashion

[@davidt3956]

"Last how many years?" asks Steve. That's easy. How long have B been coach? He's terrible, shouldn't have been hired in the first place and certainly shouldn't have been re-hired.

[@dmoney668]

Greg saying it should "give 'us' confidence"?? Is this 1985? Act like you've been there before and try pressing up at the 18 and stop trying to be slick he confuses his players Keep it simple.

[@HermSezPlayToWin]

Where else on KZbin can you get such high quality content? 🤣

[@logiclust]

why would any expect any different with Failhaulter at the helm.

[@juniorramirez1044]

GREGGGGG OUTTTTTT

[@sportingdirector1]

Why did Berhalter come back when we were playing well without him?

[@samplingmastersxlr8660]

it was only 2 games

[@sportingdirector1]

The difference was still clear@@samplingmastersxlr8660

[@Kwami357]

Germany using USA as a comeback

[@yddubbud8229]

they actually beat France last month too in a friendly

[@Michael-j5z4c]

The US can NEVER put together a quality full 90 min, it’s always a good 25 min or 45 min but never the full game. Especially against top sides, they can do it against Panama… but not Germany. Also when the subs come in the drop in quality is evident.

[@brandond8197]

Not gonna lie. Can’t wait to see the 2026 World Cup in person but it’s not to see the US. It’s to see the soccer heavyweights and stars.

[@thelinedrive]

Unless Berhalter suddenly develops the philosophy that best defense is keeping the ball as far away from your goal in your opponent’s half the field, it is absolutely a preview of things to come as Greg continues to embarrass himself with his regressive tactics that makes Sean Dyche look like he plays progressive football.

[@jeremytunison5207]

Great wedding crashers reference

[@dirks6550]

Re: US. Play based on your opponent. The "We aren't going to change our style of play" mantra just means you will lose.

[@charleshammer2928]

Soccer is the FIFTH sport in the USA, that's not going to change any time soon. You see the results.

[@shagryin4616]

Well with that coach it is going to be difficult/pointless….

[@soccerusa2026]

Can we get a new coach? Asking for an entire nation?

[@JJ-nu8qi]

Did anyone really expect different result from the same coach?

[@stansmith5610]

*When USMNT tied against England, fans were saying theyre in the same level* 🤭

[@LaVerdad2]

Nobody has ever said that. We did play them equally because we dropped into a mid block and didn’t try and do breakaway drills.

[@ishrendon6435]

Shut up mexican. Youll end uo in prison like your uncle. Bean eating fool

[@a-walpatches6460]

The US ran further against England than any team ever has, no joke. Also England only needed a draw to go through.

[@Dyan27]

Bodied rapenaldo

[@LaVerdad2]

@@a-walpatches6460 you must be an England fan because nobody can come up with better excuses than an Englishman. England was outplayed and that’s all that needs to be said. Plus they didn’t just need a draw. Whales could have taken their place if they beat them by a few goals.

[@crimsonstreams]

Horrible coach, overrated team. I can only see us make it past the group stages if the home crowd hypes the team up enough

[@alex1vid]

Was it a preview? No. The Netherlands game in December was the preview. The actual tournament will likely be WORSE. Its just a friendly, i get it. And not saying the USA players are all amazing. But they are far better than 10-15 years ago. However their manager is far WORSE. And its not a surprise. This is what the USSF wanted and expects. Mediocre underachieving performances. Welcome back, Berhalter....

[@batterystore2932]

It's a relief for me when Burley is off. Guy prattles on too much and derails the segment, making it akward for no reason.

[@zetazaku8045]

When you meet powerhouse nation with overhype squad 😅 pretty sum up about USMNT 😂

[@shanefoy3720]

Craig burley is my favourite out of them all, speaks the most sense and worst is erm probably shaka like find him boring or that ex man City player can't think off his name now either so I will go with that city player lll😂😂

[@ozzy6312708]

He's an attention hoarder

[@tobbe207]

US is game but the team has to grow a bit

[@bunkiebunk]

I hate Berhalter so much man 😆

[@matthewjennings5893]

I agree that people commentating on a sport should be good at. At. So, why are there so many women in mens football. And clinton morrison.

[@wckdaintgood]

Hopefully Berhalter is gone before the World Cup

[@KaiserM3]

I love how they always say England is amazing, but England couldn't defeat this same USA team in the last world cup, now Germany beat USA and USA is bad? 😂😂

[@dky2006]

I don't think the talent on USMNT is good enough. Other than Pulisic (who has never played at a high level consistently for a full season), who plays at top-level European club consistently? Reyna can't start at a team that struggles in the Bundesliga. Let's not treat him like a star - he isn't one, yet. Dest can't find a starting position anywhere. McKennie and Adams were on a relegation team. Weah hasn't done anything at a top club. Again, we always say we have "so much talent", but what are you talking about?

[@johnnyringo4893]

Chelsea 1st season 10 goals, 11 assists not g 6:49 ood enough for you?...If your stats aren't accurate your whole argument is a joker 😂

[@s8x.]

The back line is holding them back

[@dmoney668]

Nah the backline is good problem is Greg they were confused because he had them playing some type of odd zone and sitting back instead of pressing them at the 18

[@AFORYU113]

Strategies aside the US does not have the skilled players that a top tier team has US football is lengths behind the those top tier world cup contender teams

[@dmoney668]

Ha nonsense

[@nguyenkhanhhung91]

A commentator doesnt need to be better than the one he critique. It will be like a movie reviewer needs to be a better actor or director. Or a restaurant reviewer needs to cook better. Lmao. Football is just entertaintment for mass audiences.

[@Akinwalesegun]

dear ESPN please talk about ronaldo or you only talk bad about him when its convenient

[@waltergonzalez1478]

This coach is the problem and people need to realize he is not good enough look at Japan they have a good team and a winning manager. Greg has not prove his coaching career outside of USA team job. He sucks

[@afi11000]

Wait I thought ppl wanted Berhalter to come back? I haven’t been keeping up with usa team but it doesn’t seem like losing to country like Germany is a wild thing, would happen to every team in North America

[@yddubbud8229]

which ppl are you referring to?

[@jamesshirley9791]

Venezuela would batter the US lol

[@tsimoi273]

Horrible coworkers. Stay strong Seb 🤗

[@VISHRUTSHENOY]

Too early to tell.

[@tobaepebinuade5830]

It's gonna be difficult since no team has ever won 4 premier league titles in a row not even the great Sir Alex Ferguson with Manchester United, but I feel like Manchester City have a 80% chance of winning yet another premier league title. Manchester City have won 5 premier league titles in the last 6 years and many people believe that right now no team can realistically compete with them, even though Liverpool are looking very good again, they're not ready to challenge them, Arsenal have gotten results but aren't as good as last season, even if Tottenham have started the season off very well from a longevity perspective, they're not winning the league as they don't have the strength and depth to go on a title run in a very long domestic season. Manchester City started the season off on fire winning their first 6 games and have lost their last 2 games with Rodri out with a suspension and to be honest, I don't think the team has been at their very best and of course there's been injuries to key players as they've been a team impacted by the congested schedule, at times they have missed the creative presence of Kevin De Bruyne in the midfield and they've won games when they didn't need to be at their best, they'll have to play tougher opposition and we know that in the middle of the season towards the end, that's when they hit their peak and win games at an unbelievable rate. None of the teams right now have the consistency that Manchester City have because they hit form at a certain time go on this incredible winning run to win the title and if Rodri keeps his discipline in check and Kevin De Bruyne returns from injury other players stay fit Erling Haaland gets back to his best, I think you'll see a better version of this team. The reason why I think Manchester City will win their 6th premier league title in 7 years including a 4peat of league titles this season, it's not only how consistent they are, I just think that right now the premier league is a one horse race at the top, the other teams aren't strong enough for realistically compete with them for the league title and the level of competition at the top is diminishing right now as we need one of Liverpool or Arsenal to keep up the pace with them since we need a title race in this league, but nah Manchester City have a huge chance of winning the league again and once they start winning they never stop, they're a machine and watch these guys win 6 titles in 7 years.

[@wuxiagamescentral]

If the starting 11 played the full 90 I think it would have been 3-2 or maybe 2-2. The midfield was completely fucked the second half

[@angiew4544]

I doubt it, Germany shifted gears in the second half.

[@wuxiagamescentral]

​@@angiew4544cause the US subbed half their team bruh

[@antoniopastrana2275]

⁠ USA made 1 single change in the 2nd half and after they were losing 3-1 he made changes and even so the substitutes of Germany are better than the USA holders I don’t know what surprises you

[@antoniopastrana2275]

Germany is far superior to the United States, whether you want to accept it or not…Instead of complaining, I’m thankful that Germany missed the shots a lot because from before 10 minutes of the first half, Germany was able to liquidate the game

[@wuxiagamescentral]

Germany didn't score a single goal from skill they were all scrappy goals caused by deflections or awkward situations. I could say if Musah scored his header or Balo got on the end of the low crosses from Weah US would have won

[@22briank]

Don is really wants to see stevie in his underpants

[@Pattrk1031]

Idk who the hosts are and they might be important but they’re not entertaining at all

[@azhariabderrahim]

us team need the good coach not that coach

[@azhariabderrahim]

Pep guardiola

[@adolfoustarez]

Berhalter out