The USMNT, facing a tight World Cup time frame, begins camp in Germany

COLOGNE, Germany — If this were a normal buildup to a World Cup — and rest assured, there is positively nothing normal about the preparations or the tournament itself in Qatar starting in November — Gregg Berhalter would conduct a four-week countdown with a training camp for his U.S. men’s national soccer team.

With an eye on the group opener, he would fine-tune tactics, accelerate fitness levels for those who haven’t been logging regular minutes for their clubs and allow the injured to work themselves back into condition. He would even have the flexibility to announce the roster until after he’s taken one last look at the candidates.

To avoid the Middle East’s searing summer, the tournament…