USWNT return to winning ways
Following the defeat last week to Germany in Florida, second half goals from Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh saw the USWNT gain revenge.
Goals from Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh helped the U.S. Women’s National Team end a streak of three consecutive losses on Sunday with a 2-1 victory over Germany in a friendly in New Jersey.
The USWNT headed into the game at Red Bull Arena in Harrison knowing that a loss to Germany would be a negative milestone for the top-ranked team in the FIFA rankings leading to the first time the four-time World Cup champions had lost four in a row.
Germany had beaten Vlatko Andonovski’s team 2-1 in Fort Lauderdale on Thursday with the Stars & Stripes also falling to Spain and England in October.
Jule Brand gave Germany the lead in the 18th minute finding the target after poor defending from the home side but the visitors were dealt a major blow after the half hour mark when they lost midfield star Lena Oberdorf to a shoulder injury in the 34th minute, which impacted on their game.
The best chance for the world champions in the first half came through Alex Morgan, but the player earling her 200th cap shot wide.
On November 13, No. 13 Alex Morgan becomes the 13th player to reach 200 USWNT caps 👏 pic.twitter.com/V872W90GAn
— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 13, 2022
No shots on goal for USWNT
The Americans went into the break without managing a shot on goal, but the script shifted after the interval.
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USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher was instrumental in keeping the Germans at bay making a great save to deny Lina Magull before the home team equalized in the 54th minute when Sophia Smith found space inside the box and fired home with her right foot.
Final match report of the year 📰
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 14, 2022
Two minutes later, the Americans scored, what would be the eventual game-winner through Mallory Pugh and a sigh of relief descended over the fans at a chilly Red Bull Arena as the U.S. closed out an up-and-down 2022 season but celebrated a much-needed victory.