Back-Ups Struggle for Germany as United States Showcase Incentive Through Win

On Wednesday evening, the recently crowned World Cup winners, Germany, lost a game of football to the United States of America. 

For anyone who has been living under a rock for the past five years or so, that may seem like the sure sign of Armageddon. Germany win World Cups, but they certainly don't lose games to teams like the U.S. 

Yet, in truth, such a fixture was no more than an exhibition that, unfortunately, only one side took with the utmost professionalism. There was only one group of players on the pitch in the RheinEnergieStadion in Cologne on Wednesday night and they were wearing the white, red and blue of the U.S. 

Despite Jurgen Klinsmann's impressive win over successor Joachim Low, the home side did start with a bright and sharp edge to their game. Sure, the game may have ended up going in favour of the U.S., but within the first 12 minutes, Germany had already broken through their defence. 

The manner in which Patrick Herrmann managed to twist and turn through the U.S. midfield and defence to set up the opening goal wasn't too far off what Bundesliga fans have seen of the Borussia Monchengladbach winger for much of the recent season. 

According to Transfermarkt, the German winger has amassed an impressive 16 goals and seven assists for the Foals this season, which was perfectly evident from the manner in which he opted to cut inside and make a straight line for goal.

Yet on this occasion he instead decided to cut the ball back to an onrushing Mario Gotze—playing as the lone striker for this game—who seems to be making quite a habit of scoring for his national team. 

The Bayern Munich attacking midfielder has often been punted as a false No. 9 by Joachim Low to little luck or joy, but on the night he didn't look so bad as the focal point of attack. Whether that's down to the nature of the friendly or the poor form we've come to expect from him for his club side is still unsure, but he certainly wasn't the poorest German player on the pitch. 

Unfortunately, the mishmash of B-team players didn't work across Low's side on the night, and the U.S. equalised just minutes before half-time through a wonderful counter-attack and a neat finish from midfielder Mix Diskerud. 

Frank Augstein/Associated Press

It was a smart, eloquent finish from the New York City player to knock it past Ron-Robert Zieler in goal, but it was a goal that came about entirely through disappointing defending from the German back line. Alas, for every ounce of credit Diskerud deserves, an equal amount of criticism must be pointed toward Sebastian Rudy for being out of position and the poor marking from Shkodran Mustafi. 

Unfortunately, from that point on, it seemed as though the momentum was in favour of the travelling, optimistic American side. Sure, Germany had the talent to see off such an opponent, but the incentive and determination rested solely on Klinsmann's side on the night. 

The second goal from the United States, coming just moments before full-time, was a goal that should and undoubtedly will go down as a fantastic solo effort from forward Bobby Wood. The touch, the turn and incredibly the finish from so far out were deserving of a goal for any player the world over.

Unfortunately, fans of the Low's world champions will question the manner of such a goal from another point of view. Sure, Wood put the ball away well, but what became of Mustafi's marking to allow him so much space and time in the middle of the park and what can be said of a goalkeeper as talented and experienced as Zieler to be beaten from so far out?

Ultimately, it was this concluding goal that summed up the game for both teams. The U.S. had shown courage and bravado in the face of the World Cup winners and, in turn, earned their reward. Germany, on the other hand, looked weak, disinterested and ultimately not good enough ahead of their next qualifying tie.  

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