On Wednesday evening, Jurgen Klinsmann, who scored 47 international goals for Germany, will take his USA side back to his homeland for a friendly clash in Cologne.
It will be the first meeting between the two nations since last summer's World Cup, when Klinsmann's men were beaten by their European counterparts 1-0 in a final group encounter, although both teams still qualified for the knockout stages.
Germany
© Getty Images
Since lifting the World Cup for a fourth time in Rio de Janeiro 11 months ago, Germany's form has been somewhat patchy. Of the eight matches played since that triumph, Joachim Low's team have failed to win four of them.
The inconsistency could well be down to the enforced changes that Low has had to make, with the likes of Philipp Lahm, Per Mertesacker and Miroslav Klose all having called time on the international careers in the wake of the triumph in Brazil.
Since then, novices such as Jonas Hector, Antonio Rudiger and Karim Bellarabi have all been selected by Low as the German national side goes through a slight transitional phase.
Recent results mean that Die Mannschaft are currently in second place behind Poland in Group D for Euro 2016 qualifying, having conceded four goals in five outings.
The upcoming encounter against the Americans is viewed as a warm up for next Saturday's trip to international minnows Gibraltar - a team that Germany put four goals past last November.
Recent form: LDWWDW
USA
© Getty Images
Only a trio of players - Lukas Podolski, Gerd Muller and Klose - have scored more goals for Germany than USA head coach Klinsmann. Three of those were scored during Italia 90 when the Germans lifted the World Cup, which was the last time that they had done so prior to victory in Brazil.
The 50-year-old took up his current role in 2011, having previously been in charge of Germany for a two-year period, which ended after he had guide the nation to a third-placed finish at a home World Cup in 2006.
As for his USA team, they will travel to Cologne in good spirits following their clash with the Netherlands in Amsterdam on Friday night.
When Manchester United-bound Memphis Depay scored in the 53rd minute, he made it 3-1 to the home side. However, goals from John Brooks, Danny Williams and Bobby Wood secured a famous comeback win for the Americans.
Since their World Cup campaign was ended by Belgium in the first knockout round, the USA have played 11 friendlies, but they have only been able to record four victories.
Next month they will co-host the CONCACAF Gold Cup with Canada, where they will take on Panama, Haiti and Honduras in the group stages. It's a competition that the Stars and Stripes, who are the holders from 2013, have won on five occasions.
Recent form: LWLDWW
Team News
© Getty Images
There are many in Germany that believe Patrick Herrmann's international debut is long overdue, but the 24-year-old could finally make his bow against the Americans.
The winger is likely to feature in a five-man midfield, with Max Kruse, who scored his only previous goal at international level against the Americans, leading the attack.
Meanwhile, with goalkeeper Manuel Neuer sidelined through injury, it is expected that the gloves will be handed to Hannover's Ron-Robert Zieler.
As for the USA, Aston Villa's Brad Guzan may drop out between the posts, but Tottenham Hotspur right-back DeAndre Yedlin should come into the defence.
Germany possible starting lineup:
Zieler; Durm, Hummels, Boateng, Hector; Schweinsteiger, Gundogan, Kramer, Herrmann, Schurrle; Kruse
USA possible starting lineup:
Yarbrough; Chandler, Alvarado, Brooks, Yedlin; Bradley, Beckerman, Morales; Zardes, Johannsson, Johnson
Head To Head
Since there first encounter back in 1993, Germany and the USA have faced each other 10 times.
It's the Germans that lead 7-3 overall, with the fixture still awaiting a first draw.
The USA's last victory came under Klinsmann's watch in Washington DC two years ago. In what was an entertaining encounter, the hosts won 4-3 thanks in part to a brace from former Fulham and Tottenham Hotspur midfielder Clint Dempsey.
We say: Germany 1-1 USA
Germany will understandably be the favourites, but their opponents will be on a major high following their exploits in Holland. It was a close encounter between the two at the World Cup and it's likely to be the same this time around.
Liam Apicella
