What Does the U.S. Soccer Win Over Germany Mean?

 In advance of the qualifier vs Jamaica, NBC2 videographer Jon Moore looks at the meaning of the U.S. win vs Germany last week.

For the first time since the 1999 Confederations Cup the United States defeated Germany in a soccer match. The U.S held onto a 4-3 victory Sunday in Washington on the 100^th birthday of the national team. After a disappointing 4-2 lost to a very young and talented Belgium team earlier in the week many thought the Germans would come into RFK Stadium and dismantle the Americans.

Courtesy: brownsvilleherald.com

The German national team which is ranked second in the FIFA world rankings and are some experts favorites to win the 2014 World Cup. However, the starting lineup for the Germans on Sunday did not feature most of the stars expected to lead them to victory in Brazil. Even though the German team did not feature some of its premier talent, the eleven that wore the green away jerseys for Germany have a chance to make the team that will travel to Brazil next summer.

Nineteen year-old Julian Draxler who started and scored Sunday for Germany has a very bright future in both club and international play. Also in the lineup Sunday was Lukas Podolski, and Miroslav Klose who have both been featured in World Cup and Euro Cup matches in years previous. Many soccer writers will mention, “Well the U.S. basically played Germany's 'B' team so there isn't much to take away from this victory.” I disagree, does this win mean the U.S will challenge for a World Cup title in Brazil? Not a chance, but it does mean the gap is closing and the Americans are making strides in the right direction to eventually compete in the “worlds game”.

Courtesy: sbnation.com

Jozy Altidore scored on a venomous volley breaking his goal-less streak in a U.S uniform. If he can find his form and continue to put the ball into the back of the net, that would be a huge boost to the U.S attack. Also scoring for the Americans on Sunday was arguably the best player to ever wear a USMNT (United States Men's National Team) jersey, proud Texan Clint Dempsey. With his two goals yesterday Dempsey is now the third leading goal scorer in all competitions for the U.S. Though he recently celebrated his 30^th birthday Dempsey will need to be a force in Brazil for the United States if they hope to compete.

Courtesy nytimes.com

With six world cup qualifiers still remaining and three of those being played in June and July the USMNT must continue to make strides similar to the win over the Germans to not only qualify for Brazil but hopefully make some noise and shock the world. Sunday's game may have only been a friendly with not much riding on the outcome. However, when this country is looking for a reason to jump on a bandwagon every time the red, white, and blue takes the field, you hope to leave an impact.