USA tops Germany to reach Cup finals

Solo has talked about her play via videos released by US Soccer.

These days, the US aren’t like they have been in the past. Julie Johnston, who’s had a terrific tournament for the U.S.as a center back, impeded a German player from getting to the goal. The ball hit the crossbar and caromed away from the goal.

“We do a good job of blocking out the distractions.”.

The Americans dominated the first half, with forward Alex Morgan having the best chance to open but Nadine Angerer held firm in the Germany goal.

“We’ll take either (England or Japan)”.

It was the fourth World Cup meeting between Germany and the US In each of the first three games, the victor went on to take the title. To the surprise of the commentators and the excitement of the USA fans, the referee awarded a penalty kick to the United States. That string of success was about to get snipped. Sunday’s final with Japan is already a sellout, but tickets can still be had providing you’re willing to spend big. “I know she has a big one in mind, and that’s to win the World Cup“. “It definitely was probably one of a defenders worst nightmares.”.

Soccer rules state that a red card should be issued if a defender denies a clear, unobstructed goal-scoring chance.

By half time, Germany had the look of a heavy legged boxer who had absorbed head shot after head shot and was just clinging while waiting for the bell to end the round.

A backline of veteran Becky Sauerbrunn and Julie Johnston – who is quickly becoming a star in the team – in front of Hope Solo – widely considered the best goalkeeper in the world – makes goals tough to come by against the United States.

In the final analysis, the vaunted USA defense allowed only a single shot on Solo the Americans, ranked second by world governing body Federation Internationale de Football Association, sent the top-ranked Germans to Saturday’s third-place match.

Later in the second half, the US caught another break when Alex Morgan was fouled right at the top of Germany’s penalty box. Johnston fouled and the penalty was given. Lucky? Maybe.

It’s hard to pick a victor from two nations which have each triumphed at the tournament twice – even though the USWNT have not lifted the trophy since 1999 and Germany have won two of the last three tournaments. The US had the lead, but they didnt rest on their laurels.

With only 15 minutes left to play, Ellis began substituting fresh legs onto the pitch. Celia Sasic missed a penalty after an hour, before a penalty from Carli Lloyd and late finish from Kelley O’Hara secured the win for the Americans. The shift paid off with Lloyd’s goal on a lofted kick from Johnston.

Earlier Tuesday, Federation Internationale de Football Association confirmed that President Sepp Blatter would skip the World Cup final, as USA officials pursue a criminal investigation into the game’s ruling body.

The U.S.is the third country to reach consecutive finals, and the second to do so after losing the previous final. The Americans have appeared in the semifinals of all seven of the womens tournaments. A rematch of that 2011 World Cup finale is possible.