Berlin, June 6 -- German Football Association president Bernd Neuendorf described a subdued mood at the national team's hotel in Chicago.
"Some tears were rolling," Neuendorf said after the squad gathered in the lobby to greet Bayern Munich youngster Lennart Karl, who returned from hospital with bad news.
Ahead of Saturday's final pre-World Cup friendly against co-host the United States and one week before Germany's Group E opener against Curacao, the Bayern striker suffered a serious muscle injury that will rule him out of the tournament.
"Can't tell you how much it hurts to take this," Karl said after having worked his way into the starting lineup.
The 18-year-old's setback is not Germany's only concern. Returning goalkeeper Manuel Ne...