US can't break through against tough Germany side, lose 3-0

The American hopes for a third Women's World Cup title came crashing down on Sunday afternoon in Portland, as the United States gave up an early goal to Germany on a header by Kerstin Garefrekes in the 15th minute off Germany's first corner kick. The US was unable to pull back the goal in the remaining 75 minutes of regulation play before giving up two stoppage time goals in a 3-0 loss in front of 27,623 fans at a packed PGE Park.

After both teams had exchanged dangerous crosses into the box which were controlled by the respective goalkeepers, Germany made their first corner kick of the match pay off 15 minutes into the match when Kerstin Garefrekes flicked on a header from six yards out off Renate Lingor's corner, and the shot was off the crossbar and into the net to stun the partisan US crowd as Germany took an early 1-0 lead.

In the 19th minute, the United States had a good opportunity to pull that goal back when Kristine Lilly had an open header from 15 yards out go wide right. Shortly thereafter, the US had another good chance with dangerous crosses into the box that they could not put on net. Seven minutes later, the Americans had another good opportunity when Lilly jumped on a free ball near the top of the box, but her shot was blocked to the right by Germany goalkeeper Silke Rottenberg.

Three minutes later, a low cross from Cindy Parlow to Mia Hamm had the Americans once again threatening to tie the score, but Hamm's attempted sliding shot from 15 yards out was wide to the right.

In the 34th minute, the US had another good opportunity when Hamm gained control of a cross inside the box, but her attempt to get around the German keeper was smothered by Rottenberg. Eight minutes later, the US had another good chance when Parlow was briefly open, but her shot from 10 yards out was easily saved by Rottenberg.

Near the end of the half, Germany nearly widened the lead when a cross from Pia Wunderlich had Maren Meinert on a run into the box, but the ball was barely out of reach of the German forward, and the half ended with Germany holding onto a 1-0 lead over the Americans.

In the second half, it was Germany who had the first good scoring chance, when in the 53rd minute, a header by Birgit Prinz off a corner forced a quick save from US goalkeeper Brianna Scurry, who then recovered quickly to save the rebound shot from Bettina Wiegmann and keep the US deficit at a single goal. In the 62nd minute, a diagonal cross from Abby Wambach had Hamm making a run into it in the box, but Rottenberg was able to get to the ball just before the American striker to smother the chance.

In the 70th minute, an possible tying goal for the US was disallowed when a header by Wambach went into the goal as she collided with the German keeper in the 6 yard box, but Wambach was called for the foul and the goal was waved off. One minute later, a collision between Rottenberg and Milbrett near the top of the box had the US players screaming for a penalty, but no call was made and play was waved on.

In the 78th minute, Germany had another good chance to double the lead when a cross from Bettina Wiegmann found Prinz open near the far post, but her weak shot was easily collected by Scurry. In the 82nd minute, the US had a good chance when a free kick from the keeper's left bounced through the box untouched by any US strikers. One minute later, second-half US substitute Ally Wagner hit a wicked dipping shot from 30 yards out that short-hopped the German keeper, but Rottenberg was able to cover the loose ball before any US players could get a foot on it.

In the 88th minute, the American side had another free kick chance go unfinished when yet another cross bounced through the box untouched before going over the touch line for the goal kick.

In stoppage time, with the US sending everyone forward to look for an equalizer, Germany added two late goals to their total, the first in the first minute of stoppage time when a Prinz pass had Meinert in alone, who beat Scurry to the far side to widen the lead to 2-0 and secure the win. Two minutes later, it was Prinz who would break in alone, this time beating Scurry to the opposite post for the third German goal just before the final whistle. The rowdy Portland crowd applauded both sides after the match as Germany goes on to face Sweden in the final, while the US will play Canada in the third-place match.

Match report and game photos by Allison Andrews