The Grammy Award-winning artist and her soon-to-be-husband Travis Kelce attended Game 3 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the New York Knicks and Cleveland Cavaliers.

The 2026 FIFA World Cup will be the biggest ever in numerous ways. It will have 48 teams playing across 16 cities in three co-host countries, all the most ever in World Cup history. Those 48 teams are divided into 12 groups of four with each team playing its group stage opponents for a total of three first-round games per side. And while we should expect surprises and drama throughout the group-stage games, it will only be multiplied when we get to the knockout rounds with all eyes toward the final on July 19. There are a couple of important format changes at this tournament as to see which teams will reach the knockout portion. The top two teams from each of the 12 groups plus the top eight third-place teams across the board will then reach the first ever Round of 32 at a World Cup. Let's dive into how it all works. How Did The Group Stage Work Before? From 1998 to 2022, there were 32 teams per tournament. The teams were divided into groups of four, and the top two teams in each group (16 total) advanced to the knockout rounds. That now creates a Round of 16 with the winners then reaching the quarterfinals (eight teams). The four winners then contested the semifinals and then the last two teams left played for the ultimate prize. How Does That Work With 48 Teams? Instead of 16 teams advancing, 32 will make it out of the group stage in 2026. That means a whole new knockout round will be needed, which will begin right after the completion of the group stage. So for a team to win the final, it will need to play:- 3 Group Stage Games- 1 Round of 32 Game- 1 Round of 16 Game- 1 Quarterfinal Game- 1 Semifinal Game- 1 Final That's a total of eight games, a change from previous World Cup tournaments where seven games were needed to reach the grand finale. How Do Points Work? How Do Tiebreakers Work? In a group, a team will earn three points for a win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. That could mean some teams are equal on points at the end of the three-game group stage. That leads us to tiebreakers. If two or more teams finish equal on group-stage points, here is the order on who finishes on top: 1. Most points obtained in the group matches played between the tied teams;2. Superior goal difference in the group matches played between the tied teams;3. Most goals scored in the group matches played between the tied teams; There are even more tiebreakers if any teams remained locked after all that. From there, ties are broken by these rules: 4. Superior goal difference in all group matches5. Most goals scored in all group matches6. Highest team conduct score in all group matches (taking into account yellow cards and red cards)7. FIFA World Ranking Third-Place Teams: Which Ones Will Advance? To fill out the World Cup knockout bracket, the best eight third-place teams out of the possible 12 in the tournament will advance. The criteria for those teams are based on: 1. Points2. Goal difference3. Goals scored4. Highest team conduct score in all group matches (taking into account yellow cards and red cards)5. FIFA World Ranking

Follow live: USWNT take on Brazil in friendly

Soldier Field (CHICAGO) There are no more World Cup warm-ups for the U.S. men's national team. Nothing left to do but blow the whistle next Friday and see how the team stacks up at the 48-team tournament it is co-hosting. Saturday's defeat to Germany was the final pre-World Cup preparation match for a USA squad looking to make some history this summer. The Germans took the lead less than two minutes in on an unmarked header from Arsenal star Kai Havertz a goal that was canceled out later in the first half by Antonee "Jedi" Robinsons spectacular full volley. Unfortunately for the World Cup co-hosts, the U.S. wasnt able to capitalize on a number of good scoring opportunities before veteran Germany forward Leroy San put the four-time champions up for good with just over half an hour to play. Here are my takeaways from Saturdays defeat. 1. A Terrible Start Gifts Germany The Opener It was a dreadful, almost unforgivable beginning from the hosts. Giving up a completely unmarked goal less than two minutes in against a team like Germany can be fatal, the type of error that loses teams games at the World Cup. Havertz who a week ago was playing in the UEFA Champions League final with Arsenal probably never scored an easier goal in his career. Sure, the USAs response was good. Well get to that. But the fact remains that Mauricio Pochettinos team needs to clean things up defensively, and quickly. It took an all-world strike by Jedi to cancel out Havertzs tap-in, but no team can count on an equalizer like that. Falling behind early puts any team in a terrible position, forcing them to take risks going forward that can leave them vulnerable to a second, possibly insurmountable, two-goal deficit. The U.S. will get scored on this summer. What this team cant do is give away goals. If that happens when it matters most, its almost impossible to see Pochettinos squad making a deep run this summer. 2. But USAs Response Was Encouraging. Its hard to score a better goal than Jedis. Yet from a pure soccer perspective, it wasnt the best moment of the game for the Americans. As was the case last week against Senegal, the U.S. attack pinned the Germans in their own end of the field for the final 20 or so minutes of the first half and much of the second, too. The team combined with each other, moved the ball quickly, and frequently got behind the German backline. Had Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, SergioDest and Malik Tillman been a bit more accurate with their shots at the hour mark against Germany, Jedis goal was the only one of the seven U.S. tries on frame the U.S. couldve added a few more on Saturday. Germany keeper Oliver Baumann didn't make his second save of the game until the 87th minute, a diving stop on substitute Brenden Aaronson. Thats a good sign. Sure, those efforts must be more clinical at the main event, when open looks are significantly harder to come by. But for a team that managed just three goals in four games at the last World Cup, its a great sign that it is creating scoring chances in the first place. 3. This Was USA's World Cup Lineup With One Exception. The thinking all along was that Pochettino would use last weekends tune-up against Senegal as a glorified training session as far as personnel were concerned. Thats exactly how it played out, with 10 players subbed out at halftime of that 3-2 victory in Charlotte and 22 players used overall. Saturdays match was always going to be a dress rehearsal for the real thing. Sure enough, Pochettino went with what he almost certainly believes is his strongest possible lineup except for injured center back Chris Richards. The hope and expectation is that Richards will be ready to go when the World Cup kicks off on Friday. Pochettino made it clear he wasnt going to risk his best defenders health in a game that, high-profile as it was, didnt count. If Richards can't go against Paraguay in Los Angeles, Miles Robinson will get the nod. Thats obvious. But what Saturdays lineup decisions tell us is that fullback/winger Tim Weah who started all four of the USAs games at the 2022 World Cup and scored the first of their three goals in Qatar will most likely begin this years edition on the bench behind SergioDest. Which makes sense. On a team lacking difference-makers in the attack, Dests all-planet ball skills can change games or even win them; as noted, he came close to scoring on multiple occasions on Saturday. Meantime, Weah will likely be the first sub off the bench, or perhaps even start one of the final two group games if Poch opts to rotate. 4. Does This Result Matter? Take A Look At History. No, and not just because it doesnt count in the actual World Cup standings. This U.S. side would be thrilled to emulate the 2002 team that shocked Planet Ftbol by reaching the quarterfinals (controversially losing to Germany) in what is still the best World Cup performance by the American men since the inaugural tournament almost a century ago. What few remember is that the USA also lost its send-off match that year, a 2-0 defeat to a Netherlands team that hadnt even qualified for that years World Cup in Japan and South Korea. That performance was better than the score indicated, though, and the Americans led by a legend-in-the-making in Landon Donovan stunned pre-tourney favorite Portugal in its first group game en route to the last eight. Home fans will be hoping a similar scenario repeats itself this summer. 4 . Now, Finally, Onto The World Cup! Its now been almost eight years since the U.S. and North American neighbors Canada and Mexico were awarded co-hosting rights for the first 48-team World Cup the biggest ever in history. Pochettino was hired to lead the Stars and Stripes 21 months ago. All of it has been building to this moment. Whether the U.S. squad is ready doesnt matter. Fridays curtain raiser against Paraguay in Los Angeles is now just days away. The ball wont lie. But after two of the best attacking performances in recent memory, fans have legitimate reason to be optimistic. Were all about to see if this team can take them on a ride theyll never forget.

The United States lost 2-1 to Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday in its last match before the start of the FIFA World Cup, turning in another solid performance after Sunday's 3-2 win over Senegal.

Portugal forward Rafael Leo was sent off for punching an opponent during a 2-0 win over Chile in a World Cup warm-up on Saturday. Leo got into a heated altercation with Chile defender Ivan Romn after he felt he had been fouled by a different opponent. Leo was spotted throwing a punch and Romn reacted angrily and both were shown straight red cards on the stroke of halftime. Cristiano Ronaldo started the match but was taken off at halftime and his replacement, Gonalo Guedes, scored the opening goal. Bruno Fernandes doubled Portugals lead in the 75th and Lucas Cepeda netted for Chile in stoppage time. Portugal is in Group K at the World Cup along with Colombia, Uzbekistan and Congo. Portugal opens against Congo on June 17 in Houston. Ronaldo is set to make a record-tying sixth World Cup appearance.

On Saturday, Mirra Andreeva became the youngest French Open winner since 1992. And she did it in dominant fashion, knowing the pressure was on.

France captain Kylian Mbapp has candidly admitted that he has never rewatched his country's heartbreaking 2022 World Cup final defeat against Argentina. Despite netting a historic hat-trick during the thrilling showpiece event in Qatar, the Real Madrid superstar confessed that revisiting the painful memory could reopen old psychological wounds. Les Bleus talisman haunted by Qatar The French skipper opened up about the lasting emotional toll of the dramatic showpiece event in Doha, where his side eventually lost 4-2 on penalties following a chaotic 3-3 draw. At just 23 years old, the forward became the youngest player to feature in two separate finals and the only one to finish on the losing side despite scoring three goals. His extraordinary performance secured the tournament's Golden Boot, but the ultimate collective disappointment continues to overshadow those individual records. Skipper reflects on historic drama Speaking in an emotional interview conducted just one week before the 2026 tournament, the prolific forward explained his reluctance to revisit the cinematic encounter. Reflecting on the match, Mbappe revealed in an interview with Sorare: "The greatest final of all time? I think nothing matches it in terms of entertainment, the clash, the match scenario, with so many twists and turns. It ended with penalties, the most brutal way for anyone. "It was either Lionel Messis first World Cup win or a back-to-back for France, so it was historic no matter what. (...) Have I watched the match again since? Never! I think if I do, it might awaken some demons." Unprecedented individual exploits end in heartbreak The forward's sensational display in Lusail broke multiple records, including a breathtaking 95-second brace that single-handedly rescued Didier Deschamps' side from a two-goal deficit. His equalising volley in the 81st minute clocked a staggering 123.34 km/h, officially registering as the hardest-struck shot of the entire 2022 tournament. By converting his second penalty during extra time, he matched Geoff Hursts iconic 1966 feat and became the highest scorer in World Cup final history with five career goals. African test evokes painful memories Boasting an incredible international record of 56 goals in 97 caps, the dynamic attacker is now preparing to lead his nation into a Group I campaign in North America. Les Bleus will launch their tournament itinerary versus Senegal at the MetLife Stadium on Tuesday, June 16, before facing subsequent group fixtures against Iraq and Norway. The opening clash automatically evokes dark historical parallels to the 2002 tournament, where a defending French team suffered a shocking 1-0 defeat at the hands of the West African nation.

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Jalen Brunson hit a go-ahead free throw with 9.5 seconds left after a turnover by Victor Wembanyama moments earlier, then Wembanyama missed a jumper at the end of New York's 105-104 win over the Spurs on Friday night for a 2-0 lead in the NBA Finals.

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With the 2025-26 season almost over, minds are now turning to 2026-27, with the biggest clubs in world football releasing all their new kits for the campaign ahead. Some of the biggest sporting brands and football clubs around the globe have teamed up to produce some genuinelyoutstanding kits. The annual glut of new shirt releases always showcases the bestfootball culture and fashion has to offer because it's always more than just a football jersey. Kit manufacturers such as Nike, Adidas, New Balance, and more vie for the attention of football fans by coming up with fresh looks every year, and the demand is such that there is always room for innovation. The bigger, the better. If you want a refresher on what was released last season, catch up with ourcomplete guide to all the 2025-26 football kits released. Whether it's a new direction in a futuristic, experimental style or a retro throwback effort, there is a vast array of options to choose from. 2026-27 Football Kits AC Milan: Home The 2026/27 AC Milan home kit restores the thick red and black stripes bold, wide, and unmistakable running across the full body of the jersey, both front and back, completed by the return of white shorts and black socks. A look that has always stood for itself. The stripes are the defining mark of AC Milan. Every detail reinforces that identity. The inscription From Milan to the World pays tribute to the millions of fans worldwide, capable of making the Club feel at home on every continent. On the back neck, a wax seal enshrines the Rossoneri crest: the essence of AC Milan, imprinted on every shirt as its authentic signature, a timeless passage handed down from parent to child. Arsenal: Home At its core, the 2025-26 Arsenal shirt stays true to the club's unmistakable identity, combining a rich red body with crisp white sleeves to deliver an instantly recognizable silhouette. The design features subtle visual references to the Emirates, including a bespoke crewneck collar inspired by the sweeping rooflines and subtle red patterning across the body, which adds depth and texture. Aston Villa: Home Aston Villa's new home kit for the 2026-27 season honors the clubs more unconventional claret and blue designs, which originated in the 1960s. Inspired by the kits from the archive from the 1960s to 2010s, the new design offers a clean and elegant look, creating a departure from the raglan-sleeved home kits that Villa have donned in the modern era, usually finished with gold detailing. Bayern Munich: Home Bayern Munichs new 2026-27 home kit marks a confident return to the club's traditional roots, prioritizing a classic Red and White identity. The primary design features a vibrant, deep red base characterized by subtle, tonal vertical stripes. These red-on-red stripes are woven into a textured jacquard fabric, providing a modern depth and structure to the jersey without compromising its iconic monochromatic silhouette. It also includes premium gold accents, a color choice that hasn't been a staple of the home kit since the early 2010s. To celebrate their 2025/26 Bundesliga title triumph, the kit includes a unique championship detail: a gold badge featuring the clubs cockatoo mascot, positioned centrally on the chest between the manufacturer logo and the club crest. Borussia Dortmund: Home The Borussia Dortmund 2026-27 home kit is a striking homage to the citys industrial soul. Moving away from simpler designs, Puma has crafted a jersey rooted in the steel, concrete, and ambition of the Ruhr region. The shirt retains the club's signature Yellow base but is defined by an intricate, tonal graphic pattern that covers the front and lower body. This geometric motif draws direct inspiration from the steel framework of the Minister Stein colliery and the lattice-like architecture of the legendary Dortmunder U-Tower, celebrating the city's heritage as it prepares to mark the 40th anniversary of the collierys closure. Celtic: Home The 2026-27 Celtic home kit celebrates the 60th anniversary of the Lisbon Lions, designed to honor the historical achievements of the team that brought the European Cup to Celtic Park. The jersey is a tribute to Celtic FC's most iconic 1966/67 season, and the local roots of the players who made the magic happen. The kit is adorned with gold details, including a special crest to celebrate 60 years since that legendary season. The overall aesthetic is clean and heritage-driven, deliberately echoing the simplicity of the Lisbon Lions era, while refined fabric textures and engineered ventilation zones are seamlessly integrated into the design. Chelsea: Home The Chelsea 2026-27 home kit is here, and following fan consultation, the club crest has been refreshed and interwoven proudly into the fabric on the front of the shirt. The Bright Blue fabric features a collar and button-down neck, with Midwest Gold accents for the rampant lion and Nike swoosh. The iconic rampant lion is a feature of the Chelsea badge following Ted Drakes arrival at the Blues 75 seasons ago, and its claw marks take center stage this year. Appearing on walls, beach murals and at concerts, a series of sightings around the world built noise beyond the boundaries of traditional storytelling. Inter Milan: Home The 2026-27 Inter Milan home kit is defined by a combination of Black and Lyon Blue colors, paying tribute to Inters historic 1998 shirt, while the University Gold detailing nods to the yellow of the Nike swoosh and the Club crest from that iconic kit. The reintroduction of the collar brings a touch of tradition back into a contemporary silhouette, while on the inside, the Inner Pride reads 'Made of Milano', a concept that highlights the unbreakable bond between Inter and the city. This concept is also reflected in the kits graphic details, with stripe edges finished in a style inspired by the cut of tailors scissors, a direct reference to Milanos tailoring and manufacturing tradition. Juventus: Home The Juventus 2026-27 home kit represents a bold return to the Sartorial Elegance that defined the club's most prestigious eras. Moving away from the experimental "barcode" patterns of the previous season, this kit focuses on a clean, uniform application of the iconic black and white vertical stripes. The design is anchored by a retro-inspired, fold-over polo collar in crisp white, which lends the jersey a tailored, high-fashion aesthetic intended to look as sharp on the streets of Turin as it does on the pitch at the Allianz Stadium. The defining characteristic of this years kit is the heavy use of Gold Metallic accents, replacing the pink highlights of the previous cycle. This shimmering gold is applied to the simplified Juventus 'J' crest, the Adidas performance logo, and the sponsor branding, creating a luxurious contrast against the monochrome base. Leeds United: Away The new 2026-27 away kit sees a comeback of the classic yellow base color, this time in a smart, but striking shade, which is complemented with night navy and white detailing, turning a renowned color palette into a modern masterpiece. The V-neck jersey is paired with navy shorts and yellow socks. It's also the first time that the Leeds United away kit features the iconic Adidas Originals trefoil logo and a return of a classic club badge, which was last seen in 1998. Liverpool: Home Inspired by the classic Adidas 1989-91 Liverpool FC home jersey, instantly recognizable for its dynamic geometric pattern, and worn during a successful period for the club, when Kenny Dalglishs side secured the 1989/90 league title. The new design celebrates a defining period in the clubs history. The deep red base is elevated through a contemporary all-over graphic, directly echoing the visual language of the late-80s original while introducing a sharper, modern execution. Clean white detailing across the Adidas logo, club crest and trims reinforces the classic aesthetic, while the reimagined all-over print channels the energy and attitude of 80s football culture. Manchester United: Home Inspired by the 1970s, the 2026-27 Manchester United kit has a clean red base that allows the iconic polo collar and striped cuffs to take center stage, bringing a refined and unmistakably United look back to the pitch. The collar execution, combined with subtle striping details, references the kits worn during the clubs Domestic Cup triumph in 1977 - marking the 50th anniversary of that historic moment. This connection to the past is balanced with a contemporary construction, creating a jersey that feels both nostalgic and progressive. White accents across the Adidas three stripes and branding provide a sharp contrast against the red base, while black detailing is integrated subtly throughout the design, reinforcing the clubs classic color palette. A 'United' sign-off on the back of the neck rounds off the look. Manchester City: Home Manchester Citys 2026-27 home kit breaks away from the traditional solid-tone approach to feature a distinct sky-blue gradient. Fading smoothly from a darker shade at the shoulders down to white at the bottom hem, the design is meant to represent a visual timeline of the various shades of sky blue the club has worn throughout its history. It is framed nicely by a crisp white collar and sleeve cuffs, and finished with a monochromatic, metallic silver club crest and matching sponsor branding to emphasize a theme of modern progression. Porto: Home Porto's home shirt is a modern interpretation of the Dragons classic identity. FC Porto and New Balance present a piece that will instantly resonate with any true Porto supporter, reflecting the clubs culture and tradition. Wide blue and white stripes, an embroidered crest, a V-neck collar, and red velvet numbers evoke the distinctive style of the late 1980s and early 1990s. Easily the most talked-about element of this kit is the player names and numbers on the back. To lean heavily into the 1980s aesthetic, New Balance brought back bold, red 3D block lettering. Complete with inset highlighting lines and a velvet-like textured finish. Porto: Away Porto's 2026-27 away kit features a deep purple base with soft cream detailing, creating a refined, elegant look. Subtle tonal striping is integrated into the fabric to add depth while maintaining a clean, classic silhouette. A monochromatic club crest enhances the modern aesthetic, while refined finishing touches reinforce the overall sense of precision. The design also reflects the journey of Port from the Douro Valley to a global stage, mirroring FC Portos own international presence. From material textures to construction, each element speaks to the citys reputation for quality and authenticity. PSG: Home The Paris Saint-Germain 2026/27 home kit marks a profound return to the fundamentals of Parisian design. For this iteration, Nike has moved away from the recent experiments with paintbrush effects and offset graphics to restore the legendary Hechter stripe to its full glory. The jersey features a vibrant Old Royal blue base, a lighter, more electric shade than the deep navy of previous years, anchored by a bold, wide central red stripe flanked by two crisp white lines. In a move that has delighted traditionalists, this iconic tri-chlor band now continues seamlessly onto the back of the shirt, creating a unified flow that mirrors the flags waved by the ultras at the Parc des Princes. Real Madrid: Home Built on the clubs iconic white base, the jersey brings together familiar foundations with refined textures and subtle accents, delivering a design that feels considered and modern while retaining the clarity that defines Real Madrid at home. Dark green accents frame the design across the collar and sleeve cuffs, which include intricate patterning across the fabric, taking inspiration from the geometry of diamonds and pearls found in the clubs crown, translating craftsmanship and excellence into a modern performance aesthetic. The Adidas three stripes on the shoulders feature an unexpected pop of pink, connecting the jersey to the wider seasonal identity while adding energy to the overall look. Reporting by GOAL.

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Argentina coach Lionel Scaloni said Lionel Messi is improving from muscle fatigue in his left hamstring and could play some minutes in the warmups before his team's World Cup debut on June 16.

Ive played in a World Cup and understand how the U.S. national team is preparing and what matters most. Theres one more game until the Americans tournament is underway against Paraguay on June 12, and it's important to go in with confidence. This time around, I have a different challenge. Ill be breaking down the USA throughout its journey through the 2026 World Cup, starting with a final tune-up game against Germany. Here are my keys to the game and a preview of what to expect from Germany and the USA. When looking at the German national team, the first names that come to mind are probably Jamal Musiala, Florian Wirtz or Joshua Kimmich. The player I'm watching out for in this game, though, is someone who can exploit a potential weakness in the U.S. defense. Sane is the player Im highlighting because it ties into what Im worried about with the United States. The former Manchester City star is a fast, left-footed winger who generally plays on the right side. He can dribble in either direction, cut in on his left foot or drag the ball toward the touchline. Tim Ream and Antonee "Jedi" Robinson on the left side of the U.S. defense will be defending Sane. When Robinson is high up the field and Germany gets the ball in transition, theres a chance youre going to have Sane against Tim in open space. After watching the friendly against Senegal, that wouldnt be ideal for this U.S. team. This will be less of an issue in the group stage of the World Cup for the United States against Paraguay, Australia and Trkiye. As you get into the knockout rounds, though, youre going to face players who are able to exploit that pace and potentially cause problems for Ream. Ream will be important in controlling buildouts for the U.S. team, but in the first 20 minutes against Senegal last Saturday, he had some uncharacteristic turnovers that led to dangerous chances. Additionally, there were a few moments when the ball went wide, and Ream wasnt immediately close enough. He did the right thing in that situation of delaying the attack and waiting for help, but his ability to defend wingers in dangerous positions will play a vital role in the tournament. Alex Freeman will look to build on his performance against Senegal and should find himself in more one-on-one moments out wide against Germany, as well. Im curious to see how Wes plays and how much of the game he can dictate. We know how good he is in attack, but can he be effective on both sides of the ball? Wes played the second half against Senegal after Pochettino made 10 changes at halftime. He did very well, especially defensively, showing a grit and leadership that came with wearing the captains armband for the second half. Wes is expected to start in the midfield next to Tyler Adams, who can cover a lot of ground defensively and potentially give him freedom to move forward. Still, against a team like Germany that can cause problems for the U.S. quickly in transition, my former U.S. teammate has to put in a strong shift on both ends of the field. I know he can do it, having played with the famous "MMA" midfield of Tyler, McKennie and Yunus Musah at the 2022 World Cup. Adams covered the middle of the pitch, while Wes and Yunus covered the rest of the midfield, all the way out to the sideline. This will be a good test against Germany entering the tournament. How well McKennie plays and how much of the game the American midfield can dictate will determine what the U.S. can get out of the game. The U.S. may need a different mentality against Germany compared with how it started against Senegal. The starting lineup played 45 minutes together before 10 substitutions at halftime. Mauricio Pochettino wants his team to press high up the field, and youre going to empty the tank when you know youre only going to play 45 minutes. I was very impressed with the compactness of the team against Senegal and hope we see that again against Germany. Offensively, there were so many positive combinations and goal-scoring opportunities from the attacking group in the previous match. Let's see if the team can continue to look dangerous against Germany. I'd expect well see more minutes from the starting XI against Germany to get the match fitness needed for the World Cup while also trying to stay safe and healthy. My assumption is for the starting XI to play at least 60 to 70 minutes in this one. Can the U.S. be as aggressive against Germany as it was against Senegal? The Americans are unlikely to have as much of the ball as they had in their first friendly. This matchup may require them to drop into a low block, sit back and defend more. If Pochettino starts with three center backs, as he did against Senegal, how does the U.S. drop back in defense? When they enter into a low block does it turn into a 5-4-1? Will the U.S. be content to concede space and possession? Im curious to see how the team sets up against a potential title contender. With that, can the U.S. find the right balance of attack and defense? Can the team say, "Hey, were not just going to be passive, can we go out there and be aggressive in the right moments?" Based on the Senegal game, I am expecting the Americans to at least try to be very aggressive in the first 10 or 15 minutes. Finding that balance will take a lot of maturity from both the coaching staff and players on the pitch. Im hopeful that we can find the right balance between pressing and sitting back against a team that will be considered a superior opponent. I think Germany will score a goal in transition. There are two things Im worried about with the U.S. in the World Cup, and they both have to do with its defense. The first one, as Ive already talked about, is how this team is going to defend in transition when the opposition is on a counterattack. Germany has players like Sane, Musiala and Wirtz who can cause trouble when given space and time on the ball. The other thing Im worried about which may not pertain to this game necessarily is how the U.S. will be able to play against a big-target striker. Thankfully, Germany doesnt have one of those, and defender Chris Richards would give the U.S. a different element in defense if hes fit. Against Senegal, some direct balls were played toward the U.S. defense that Mark McKenzie and Ream didnt handle smoothly. The addition of Richards should help in this area, and Im hoping we see a bit more control on that moving forward. Playing against a big striker will test this American backline both in holdup play and deep into the penalty box.