EAST HARTFORD, Conn. (Oct. 26, 2025) – In its “send-off” match ahead of the 2025 Deaflympics this November, the U.S. Men’s Deaf National Team soundly defeated Germany 3-1at Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Connecticut. As part of an historic doubleheader with the U.S. Women’s National Team, the win is the first for the United States against Germany in six all time meetings since the series began in 2012.
Goals from veterans and youth alike along with a pair of assists from Chris Bourdon led the attack. Meantime, an aggressive and stodgy U.S. defense was backstopped by 18-year-old goalkeeper Sam Lang, who earned a win during his international debut.
USA-Germany, presented by Volkswagen, continued U.S. Soccer’s dedicated effort to celebrate and elevate all forms of the Beautiful Game. For the second year in a row, the Federation has paired a U.S. Women’s National Team match with a Deaf National Team match.
The USA’s clash with Germany reflects U.S. Soccer’s commitment to the U.S. Way, which prioritizes strategic investment in resources, infrastructure and holistic support for the Federation's Extended National Teams – including the Deaf National Teams – to ensure they are equipped to compete and succeed at the highest levels of international play.
The game opened in entertaining fashion as both teams looked to establish superiority.The U.S. started to impose themselves at the quarter hour mark, utilizing an aggressive press to force the Germans into several turnovers and creating transition opportunities.
Those efforts paid off in the 18th minute. After winning a duel in midfield, Bourdon – the 2023 U.S. Soccer Male Deaf Player of the Year – raced down the right flank and delivered a ball across the box to a streaking Samson Abraham who deftly used the outside of his right foot to direct the ball into the far side netting for his first international goal.
The U.S. doubled the lead in the 42nd minute in remarkably similar fashion. Again a quick transition sent Bourdon on the fly. He entered the area from the right side and skated past three defenders before dropping a pass to Michael Schmid at the top of the six, who made no mistake in burying a strike for his 14th career international goal.
Germany – looking to extend their unbeaten streak against the USA - responded quickly after the break. Jonathan Sedlmayer whipped a free kick into the box from 35 yards out and found Robin Bayer unmarked at the 12-yard box, the German captain powering a standing header to the far post for the 22nd goal of his international career.
Showing resiliency and spirit, it took the U.S. only two minutes to regain the two-goal margin. Braden Anderson was given corner kick duty from the left side and found Schmid charging into the mix. His diving effort was denied by a quick reaction save from Stefan Krieg; however, team captain Tate Lancaster was there to pounce on the rebound in the 50th minute.
Germany nearly pulled one back in the 57th minute, only to see Lang deny a point-blank shot from six yards out. After providing two assists, Bourdon nearly got a goal of his own in the 75th minute when he smashed a close-range shot off the left post.
With minutes to go, Sedlmayer got two bites at the apple to score only to be stoned by the U.S. defense. First, it was Lang who once again stood tall and made a reflex kick save to deny a breakaway. On the ensuing corner, Sedlmayer stood near the top of the box and smacked a low drive that had Lang beat but was cleared off the line by an astutely positioned Raul Silva.
Following Sunday’s friendly, the USA sets its sights on earning a medal at the 2025 Deaflympics in Tokyo. Drawn into Group D, the USA will face Ukraine on Nov. 16 and Senegal on Nov. 18, with both matches kicking off at 2:30 a.m. ET. The top two teams in each group advance to the quarterfinals and play in a knockout format until the gold medal match on Nov. 25.
USA - Samson Abraham (Chris Bourdon), 18th minute: After winning a duel in midfield, Bourdon – the 2023 Player of the Year – raced down the right flank and delivered a ball across the box to a streaking Samson Abraham who deftly used the outside of his right foot to direct the ball into the far side netting for his first international goal. USA 1, GER 0
USA - Michael Schmid (Chris Bourdon), 42nd minute: The U.S. doubled the lead in remarkably similar fashion. Again a quick transition sent Bourdon on the fly. He entered the area from the right side and skated past three defenders before dropping a pass to Michael Schmid at the top of the six, who made no mistake in burying a strike for his 14th career international goal. USA 2, GER 0
GER - Robin Bayer (Jonathan Sedlmayer), 48th minute: Jonathan Sedlmayer whipped a free kick into the box from 35 yards out and found Robin Bayer unmarked at the 12-yard box, the German captain powering a standing header to the far post for the 22nd goal of his international career.
USA - Tate Lancaster, 50th minute: It took the U.S. only two minutes to regain the two-goal margin. Braden Anderson was given corner kick duty from the left side and found Schmid charging into the mix. His diving effort was denied by a quick reaction save from Stefan Krieg; however, team captain Tate Lancaster was there to smash home the rebound. USA 3, GER 1 FINAL
Match: United States Men’s Deaf National Team vs. Germany
Date: October 26, 2025
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field; East Hartford, Conn.
Kickoff: 1 p.m. ET
Weather: Mostly sunny, 55 degrees
| Scoring Summary | 1 | 2 | F |
| USA | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| GER | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| USA – Samson Abraham (Chris Bourdon) | 18th minute |
| USA – Michael Schmid (Chris Bourdon) | 42 |
| GER - Robin Bayer (Jonathan Sedlmayer) | 48 |
| USA - Tate Lancaster | 50 |
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sam Lang; 8-Philip Cruz, 16-Kevin Fitzgerald, 17-Tate Lancaster (Capt.) (11-JP Kanashiro, 65), 20-JJ Waterman (19-Daniel De Moura, 84); 13-Joseph Kennedy Jr. (6-Dawson Anderson, 79), 10-Braden Anderson, 3-Raul Silva; 7-Chris Bourdon, 22-Michael Schmid (14-Bennett Haas, 65), 2-Samson Abraham
Substitutes not used: 12-Andrew Lenert, 21-Ethan Sullivan, 4-Luke Haubruge, 5-Kevin Oladimeji, 15-Eddie Perry, 18-Aidan Burns, 23-Stanley Odoms Jr.
Head coach: Everett Palache
GER: 1-Marcel Salzman (18-Lucas Pflugfelder, 46), 2-Maxim Grasnow (4-Julian Hoffmeyer, 66), 7-Steven Nowark, 8-Jonathan Sedlmayer, 11-Nicolas Wojciak (10-Kevin Bayer, 46), 12-Robin Bayer(Capt.), 16-Umut-Cem Tekin (5-Dylan Volkmann, 46), 17-Lucas Ballmann (15-Ismael Müller, 46), 19-Camilo Seipke, 20-Fabian Kuppe, 24-Kevin Gaul (13-Dennis Karczewski, 79)
Substitutes not used: 22-Stefan Krieg
Head coach: Marco Dehne
Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 14 / 14
Shots on Goal: 5 / 6
Saves: 4 / 1
Corner Kicks: 5 / 4
Fouls: 21 / 11
Offside: 3 / 1
| Misconduct Summary |
| USA – Philip Cruz (Caution) | 24th minute |
| USA – JJ Waterman (Caution) | 56 |
| USA – Braden Anderson (Caution) | 90 |
Officials:
Referee: Andrew Kirst (USA)
Assistant Referee 1: Elizabeth McDonald (USA)
Assistant Referee 2: Steven Cardoso (USA)
Fourth Official: Devin Miller (USA)
Michelob Ultra Man of the Match: Chris Bourdon