Germany Mounts Comeback, Draws the US 3-3

If you watch soccer (if you’re reading this, you probably do), then you know that nothing is ever set in stone…even a 3-1 score.  The USWNT traveled to Germany for the first leg of their European tour, taking on the team they defeated 2-0 in the Algarve Cup Final.  But that was on neutral ground; this one was in Germany in front of a rather large crowd at Sparda Bank Hessen Stadium.  In the span of just 24 minutes, the lady German’s scored three goals, making a miraculous comeback that ended in the match in a shocking draw.  For the Germans, it probably feels more like a win.  In three friendlies against Germany dating back to October 2012, the USWNT has managed only draws against a tough Germany side led by Silvia Neid, and it would seem a friendly rivalry between these two squads is brewing more and more with each match played.

With all six goals in this match coming in the second half, one would have thought this one was going to end as a low scoring affair.  Both sides had almost an equal amount of possession in the first half, with both the Germans and US getting their fair amount of chances.  Good defense from both sides though led to a first half stalemate, and US players itching to score.

The USWNT wouldn’t have to wait very long to get on the board in the second half.  After a quick cross into the box from Megan Rapinoe, Abby Wambach came charging to the net, and put the cross away with a header, giving the veteran career goal number 155 in her chase of Mia Hamm’s record.  Rapinoe would also add a goal to her assist, after launching a ball from 16 yards out into the bottom corner of the German net, padding the US’ lead to two.  The Germans would get on the board soon after Pino’s second goal though.  In the 61st, after a bad touch from Dunn, Germany’s Kulig would rocket her shot into the back of Barnhart’s goal, making it a 2-1 game.

It would look as if the US Women would answer just four minutes later off a goal from Lauren Cheney.  A bad offside call ended up disallowing the goal, and the score was still 2-1.  The no-goal did not stop the US Women from bombarding the German net though and in the 71st, Alex Morgan would get the US’s third goal, giving them a two goal advantage.  The USWNT’s young back line would unfortunately be their undoing.  After captain Christie Rampone brought down a German player in the box, Mbabi would put the penalty away to bring the deficit to within one.  Just one minute later, Germany’s Mittag would put a sweeping cross away to salvage a draw against the Americans.

The USWNT will look to put Germany and the draw behind them as they head to the Netherlands to take on, you guessed it, the Netherlands at Kyocera Stadium on Tuesday April 9th.  After some miss-communication from head coach Tom Sermanni’s young back line, look for him to change up the lineup some come match time.  Kick off is set for 1 p.m. ET and can been seen on ESPNW.com and ESPN3.com as well as on the WatchESPN app.  Danielle Grote will be on the PSL Soccer Desk Podcast this Monday night to wrap up this match and preview the Netherlands.