CHICAGO — Head coach Mauricio Pochettino insisted his United States side is ready for the World Cup despite a 2-1 defeat in their final game before the tournament begins.The USMNT got off to the worst possible start at Soldier Field as Kai Havertz put Germany ahead within two minutes with a close-range header, before the visitors went on to inflict a fifth loss in five games for the USMNT against European opposition.Yet Pochettino believes the moment turned into a blessing in disguise, as it gave his side an opportunity to show the resolve and character that will be needed to succeed in the tournament, with their Group D campaign starting against Paraguay in Los Angeles on June 12.The goal was basically Germany’s first attacking moment of the match and put the USMNT under immense pressure but rather than lamenting the easy goal conceded, Pochettino felt lucky his side were lucky to experience that adversity. And he was proud of how they fought back.“I was thinking we were lucky… it was an amazing challenge for us,” Pochettino said. “To see how we react, to see how we show character, show togetherness and play under pressure. In that moment I was upset (to concede), of course, but it was good for us to see the reaction of the team. The reaction was amazing.”The USMNT equalized through a stunning full volley from wingback Antonee Robinson in the first half, who laced his strike from outside the 18-yard box past German goalkeeper Oliver Baumann.He ran away in jubilation, completed a backflip as the PA system at Soldier Field blasted “Free Bird” by Lynyrd Skynyrd. That song became the anthem for the United States men’s and women’s hockey teams at the winter Olympics as both won gold.