Gio Reyna returns to the United States under Gregg Berhalter as the USMNT hosts European power Germany in Hartford on Saturday.
It marks the first time that Reyna will play under Berhalter since their falling out at the 2022 World Cup. His return was delayed by the coaching search, which didn't tab Berhalter to return until two months ago, plus an injury to the player over the summer on Nations League duty.
Germany are under new management, with Julian Nagelsmann set to make his national-team debut in this match. Nagelsmann replaced Hansi Flick in the aftermath of their World Cup group-stage exit and a run of just two wins in seven friendly matches in 2023 for the Euro 2024 hosts.
The Sporting News reviews the latest team news for both USA and Germany as the two clash for the fifth time since 2002 and the first since 2015, when the U.S. claimed a 2-1 win.
LIVE BLOG: Follow along pre-match, in-game, and post-match as USA welcomes Germany
USA vs Germany lineups, team news
Both teams have called in strong, first-choice squads for this international break despite the two sides both only contesting friendlies.
Julian Nagelsmann has made some intriguing choices for his first Germany matches, calling in five center-backs but just two full-backs, both left-sided players. He has brought in four uncapped players including Union Berlin forward Kevin Behrens and Bayer Leverkusen midfielder Robert Andrich.
Gregg Berhalter has some new faces as well, including Heidenheim midfielder Lennard Maloney who has received high praise for his strong start to the Bundesliga season. Maloney could be a candidate to see time in this match given the injury to captain Tyler Adams.
Below are the projected starting lineups for both teams ahead of their match at Rentschler Field in Hartford, Connecticut.
MORE: A look at the full USMNT squad for October friendlies vs. Germany and Ghana
USA starting 11 vs Germany
USA starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1. Turner (GK) — 19. Scally, 4. Richards, 13. Ream, 2. Dest — 7. Reyna, 6. Musah, 8. McKennie — 21. Weah, 20. Balogun, 10. Pulisic.
- Out: Tyler Adams, Antonee Robinson
- Limited: Cameron Carter-Vickers
Against a world-class opponent, U.S. head coach Gregg Berhalter has deployed nothing less than his first-choice starting lineup given who is available for selection.
The only question in that regard was the full match fitness of Gio Reyna and Cameron Carter-Vickers who both just made their return from long-term injuries with a single substitute appearance before the international break. Reyna starts, but could be limited to just the first half, while Carter-Vickers begins on the bench with Tim Ream and Chris Richards preferred.
Otherwise, Tyler Adams is missing with the recurrence of his hamstring injury, and Antonee Robinson was rested as he plays through a sports hernia. Sergino Dest has been playing left-back with his new club PSV this season, and with Jedi out, he starts at that spot, with Joe Scally on the right..
Adams' absence could eventually present a chance for uncapped Lennard Maloney to see the field, although he must for now settle for a spot on the bench, as do the other midfield options Luca de la Torre and Johnny Cardoso.
MORE: USMNT internationals thriving as club teammates with big European clubs
Germany starting 11 vs USA
Germany (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1. ter Stegen (GK) — 4. Tah, 2. Rudiger, 5. Hummels, 20. Gosens — 16. Gross, 21. Gundogan — 19. Sane, 14. Musiala, 10. Wirtz — 9. Fullkrug.
- Out: Serge Gnabry (broken arm), Timo Werner (back), Josh Kimmich (illness)
- Limited: None
Julian Nagelsmann has selected a full five center-backs for this trip. One of those is Mats Hummels, who has not been called in since 2021 and was dropped for the entirety of Hansi Flick's time in charge. Hummels slides right back into the starting lineup.
Those five center-backs are in contract to just two natural full-backs on the roster in David Raum and Robin Gosens, both left-sided players. Nagelsmann has slotted Gosens into a starting role on the left, and while Pascal Gross looks to be filling in for an ill Josh Kimmich, he could also move to right wing-back if Antonio Rudiger or Jonathan Tah aren't cutting it out wide.
Injuries for Nagelsmann to work around include Serge Gnabry who is out with a broken arm, and Timo Werner who has been touch and go at RB Leipzig with a back problem. There's a choice for Nagelsmann to make up front, as Niclas Fullkrug has been prolific in his short national-team stint, but Thomas Muller is an experienced veteran who is still performing at a high level.
MORE: An overview of the Germany squad for the match against the United States
USA vs Germany live stream, TV channel
- Date: Saturday, Oct. 14
- Time: 3 p.m. ET / 12 p.m. PT
- TV Channel: TNT (English); Telemundo, Universo (Spanish)
- Streaming: Fubo, HBO Max, Peacock, Telemundo Deportes En Vivo, Universo NOW
The match between the United States and Germany will be available to watch on television in both English and Spanish.
TNT will have the English language broadcast, while a Spanish language option is available on both Telemundo and Universo. All three channels are available to stream on Fubo.
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