In a rematch of the 2012 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup championship, it was runner-up Germany that got the upper hand against the defending champion U.S. Under-20 Women’s National Team in the opener of the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup at Commonwealth Stadium.
Lena Petermann and Theresa Panfil scored second-half goals for Germany en route to a 2-0 victory against the USA to take the early lead in Group B play of this year’s World Cup.
It marked the U.S. U-20 WNT’s first international loss of 2014, having won all nine of its previous matches.
In stoppage time, USA second-half sub Summer Green attempted to get her team back into the match, but her curling left-footed shot hit the left post.
The U.S. resumes Group B play in the tournament against Brazil on Friday, Aug. 8, at Commonwealth Stadium (10 p.m. ET; ESPNU, WatchESPN).
Goal Scoring Rundown:
GER – Lena Petermann (Pauline Bremer), 65th minute: With end-to-end action for much of the match, Germany was the first to break through, capitalizing on a turnover in the midfield. Germany’s Pauline Bremer provided the through ball from midfield to Lena Petermann, who made a darting run to her right past USA captain Cari Roccaro. Petermann got the shot off before Roccaro closed in, and the right-footed strike went just over U.S. goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland’s glove and into the right side of the net. USA 0, GER 1
GER – Theresa Panfil (Kathrin Schermuly), 90th minute: Germany worked the ball from left to right as Wibke Meister switched from the left flank to Kathrin Schermuly and then to Theresa Panfil. The USA defense gave Panfil enough space to work with and from 19 yards out she shot right-footed, splitting two U.S. defenders with a rolling shot past diving USA goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland and inside the left post for the two-goal cushion in the waning moments of regulation. USA 0, GER 2 (FINAL)
Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
GER – Meike Kaemper, 11th minute: The USA attacked effectively down the right side as Margaret “Midge” Purce set up U.S. forward Lindsey Horan, who received the ball in the middle of the box. Horan aimed for the right side of the goal, and Germany goalkeeper Meike Kaemper halted her momentum to the right and crossed over to her left to bat the ball away for the save.
GER – Meike Kaemper, 16th minute: U.S. striker Lindsey Horan was on the attack when she chest-trapped a pass with her back to the goal and turned counter clockwise with the right-footed volley. Horan did not strike as cleanly as she would have liked, but her shot was headed toward the left side of the frame. Germany goalkeeper Meike Kaemper needed to make a diving save to her right to surrender a USA corner kick.
USA – Katelyn Rowland, 38th minute: Germany’s Linda Dallman worked the ball to the right side as Pauline Bremer found some space behind the USA defense. Bremer was one-on-one against U.S. goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland, and Rowland won that matchup, leaving her line and getting big for the body save.
USA – Katie Naughton, 38th minute: USA goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland took a gamble when she darted toward the top of the box to try and clear the ball away from Germany’s attack. However, Germany gained the upper hand and worked the ball to Pauline Bremer on the right side of the box. Bremer’s header was headed toward the goal, and U.S. center back Katie Naughton cleared the ball away with her left leg just in front of the goal line. Her redirect clipped the right post, but it was just enough to keep the match scoreless heading into halftime.
USA – Katelyn Rowland, 76th minute: Germany second-half sub Linda Dallmann got behind the U.S. U-20 WNT defense and shot toward the left side of the frame. Germany was clinging to a one-goal lead at that time, and USA goalkeeper Katelyn Rowland made a clutch save to her right, staying low to keep her team in the match.
GER – Meike Kaemper, 81st minute: Mallory Pugh had two shots from point-blank range on the left side of the box, but Germany goalkeeper Meike Kaemper fended off both attempts. The first was a crisp left-footed strike, and then Pugh got her own rebound, which was turned away again at the near left post.
Next on the Schedule:
The U.S. U-20 WNT prepares for its second Group B match when it faces Brazil at 10 p.m. ET on Friday, Aug. 8, at Commonwealth Stadium in Edmonton, Canada.
Additional Notes:
- The USA is now 9-1-0 in international competition this year.
- The U.S. U-20s have allowed only four goals in international play this year, outscoring their opponents 40-4.
- U-20 WNT head coach Michelle French’s starting lineup featured the defensive corps of Katelyn Rowland in goal, right back Stephanie Amack, left back Brittany Basinger and center backs Katie Naughton and Cari Roccaro. Roccaro wore the captain’s armband.
- The midfield of the USA’s 4-3-3 formation included Andi Sullivan in the middle, Mallory Pugh on the left side and Brittany Basinger on the right.
- Up front, the starting trio featured Margaret “Midge” Purce, Lindsey Horan and Savannah Jordan.
- Makenzy Doniak was subbed on to open the second half, replacing Jordan.
- Carlyn Baldwin entered the match for Sullivan in the 74th minute.
- Trailing by a goal, the USA amped its attack with its final sub in the 76th minute as Summer Green replaced Purce.
- The USA has won this event three times and Germany is a two-time champion.
-U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team Match Report-
Match: U.S. U-20 Women’s National Team vs. Germany
Date: Aug. 5, 2014
Competition: 2014 FIFA Under-20 Women’s World Cup – Group B
Venue: Commonwealth Stadium; Edmonton, Canada
Kickoff: 5 p.m. local / 7 p.m. ET
Weather: 80 degrees; Sunny, warm
Lineups:
USA: 1-Katelyn Rowland; 16-Stephanie Amack, 3-Cari Roccaro (capt.), 20-Katie Naughton, 4-Brittany Basinger; 5-Rose Lavelle, 17-Andi Sullivan (13-Carlyn Baldwin, 74), 12-Mallory Pugh; 15-Margaret Purce (8-Summer Green, 77), 10-Lindsey Horan, 7-Savannah Jordan (9-Makenzy Doniak, 46)
Subs Not Used: 2-Christina Gibbons, 6-Taylor Racioppi, 11-Rachel Hill, 14-Nickolette Driesse, 18-Jane Campbell, 19-Kaleigh Riehl, 21-Rose Chandler
Head Coach: Michelle French
GER: 1-Meike Kaemper; 2-Manjou Wilde, 3-Felicitas Rauch, 4-Margarita Gidion, 8-Rebecca Knaak, 6-Lina Magull (capt.) (10-Linda Dallmann, 60), 11-Theresa Panfil, 13-Sara Daebritz (7-Kathrin Schermuly, 79), 19-Rieke Dieckmann; 9-Pauline Bremer, 18-Lena Petermann (15-Wibke Meister, 72)
Subs Not Used: 5-Franziska Jaser, 12-Merle Frohms, 14-Marie Becker, 16-Joelle Wedemeyer, 17-Jennifer Gaugigl, 20-Madeline Gier, 21-Anna Klink
Head Coach: Maren Meinert
Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 21 / 18
Shots on Goal: 16 / 13
Saves: 10 / 16
Corner Kicks: 9 / 6
Fouls: 9 / 9
Offside: 0 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Rose Lavelle (caution) 18th minute
GER – Margarita Gidion (caution) 74
Officials:
Referee: Sachiko Yamagishi (JPN)
Assistant Referee 1: Allyson Flynn (AUS)
Assistant Referee 2: Sarah Ho (AUS)
Fourth Official: Ri Hyang Ok (PRK)
(US Soccer press release)
Useful links
- Full fixture list for the FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Download your free FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup Wallchart!
- Meet all the teams and players competing in the 2014 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup.
- Join the U-20 Women’s World Cup group.
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