USWNT: Germany and USA Square Off in Chicago

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Bridgeview, IL (October 20, 2012)-Playing in their first game in five years without Coach Pia Sundhage on the sidelines, the U.S. Women's National Team continued their fan victory tour in front of 19,522 enthusiastic supporters. The reigning gold medal champions took on 2nd ranked Germany in the first of two games featuring the top two teams in the FIFA Women's World Rankings. 

With Jill Ellis stepping in as the interim coach, the U.S. faced their strongest opponent thus far in the victory tour. Toyota Park, home of the MLS team Chicago Fire served as the host with another sell-out crowd welcoming the U.S. WNT to the Chicago area and witnessing an exciting night of soccer despite the 1-1 tie.

The U.S. women jumped out to an early lead when veteran forward Abby Wambach scored her 147th international goal as she converted a quick pass from fellow forward Alex Morgan in the second minute of play. Catching the Germans off guard, Morgan received a feed from midfielder Lauren Cheney that set up the goal and the early score for the U.S.

Germany however leveled the game in the 14th minute when Anja Mittag, the striker for the European squad chipped a shot over the head of goalkeeper Hope Solo. Mittag was able to scurry past the defending line and leave herself with a one-on-one opportunity with Solo that she ultimately was able to capitalize on. 

Germany had a chance to take the lead in the 25th minute when midfielder Simone Laudehr missed just wide left on a shot that should have given the Germans the 2-1 advantage. 

On the U.S. side Cheney had a strike that hit the right post and just miss in the waning minutes of the first half. 

The second half began with some changes for the U.S. as three substitutions were made by Coach Ellis. Heather O'Reilly came in for Megan Rapinoe, Carli Lloyd for Lauren Cheney and Illinois native Amy LePeilbet replaced Heather Mitts. Despite controlling the ball for the first ten minutes the U.S. was unable to score with a great opportunity missed by Wambach in the initial minutes of the half.

Solo was put to the test as the second half wore on with a diving stop against Mittag in the 64th minute as the forward was looking for her second goal of the night.

Three corner kicks in a row in the final ten minutes of the game by the U.S. were key missed opportunities to gain the go-ahead goal. Neither team though seemed content to play for the tie, as the dwindling minutes were intensity filled as both teams fought hard for the lead. 

In the end however it remained a 1-1 draw with both teams looking to Tuesday night when they play again in East Hartford, CT. 

It was a cleaner game for the U.S. women who despite the rust of being off for the last month appeared to be regaining their fitness as the hangover from London is wearing off.

The past few months for the Americans have been an ongoing celebration as they won their third consecutive gold medal this past August in London. Germany on the other hand after missing the opportunity to be a part of the Olympics are in the midst of training for the 2013 European Championship next summer of which they are the reigning champions. 

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