Women's World Cup 2015: Keys to USA Defeating Germany

The United States must continue to find its stride on offense but must maintain its defensive prowess when it takes on Germany Tuesday in the semifinals of the 2015 Women’s World Cup. 

The two world powers have historically dominated women’s international soccer. They rank first and second in the world, per FIFA’s rankings, and the teams have occupied these two slots in all but four of the 49 releases since 2003, according to ESPN. 

Germany, the world’s top-ranked squad, defeated a dynamic France team on penalties to reach this stage.

The U.S. showed signs of improvement in its 1-0 victory of China. Take a look at the match highlights for a refresher: 

It will take a phenomenal effort for the Americans to defeat Germany. Here are three keys for the U.S. as it looks to earn a chance to play for the World Cup:

Keep Morgan Brian in the Lineup 

With the U.S. offense in turmoil and two of its top playmakers, Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday, suspended for yellow card accumulation, the team found a spark in midfielder Morgan Brian. 

Head coach Jill Ellis put Brian in a defensive midfielder role to move the ball through the middle of the field to her attacking midfielders and forwards. This allowed players like Carli Lloyd to play more offensive without being overly concerned with her defensive responsibilities. 

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Lloyd certainly noticed an improvement in her play, according to ESPN’s Graham Hays, which resulted in her netting the decisive goal in the match.

Speaking of the difference in her play, Lloyd said: "Freedom, I guess. Morgan Brian sitting a little bit more in that pocket enabled me to roam and find space, connect with the forwards."

Brian acknowledged the importance of her role in her team’s win as she hopes to continue to contribute to the U.S.’ success. 

"I think it's a huge key to the game, when you're playing in the holding mid role, is just finding the right passes and opening the spaces for teams and winning balls," Brian, the team’s youngest player, said. "It's just being that shield in front of the back line." 

In previous matches, Lloyd would not have been crashing the net and heading in a ball from inside the box. However, this was a prime example of Brian’s reliability allowing Lloyd to be aggressive and not hesitant because of her defensive duties. 

The entire team also seemed to benefit from Brian’s presence. Against a formidable Chinese defense, the U.S. produced its best offensive output of the tournament, per ESPN Stats and Info: 

The additions of Rapinoe and Holiday into the lineup should only help the U.S. Germany struggled against the speed and flanking ability of France. This could act as a blueprint for defeating a strong German side. 

Look for the U.S. to move to a more midfield-heavy lineup to utilize its speed against Germany. A front line of Brian playing deeper in her own end with Lloyd and Kelley O’Hara supporting the attack and Rapinoe and Holiday flanking Alex Morgan at center forward could definitely keep the Germans on their heels. 

Maintain Dominant Defense 

Although the U.S. seem more focused on finding the right offensive formula, it must not forget about its suffocating defensive play thus far in the tournament. 

The Americans have not allowed a goal since the 27th minute of its opening match against Australia, which took a sensational team effort: 

Goalkeeper Hope Solo and the defense’s shutout streak of 423 minutes is the third longest in World Cup history, according to ESPN. 

Solo has not been challenged much during this tournament and it was the same story against China. She has only faced six shots on goal in the last four games, with an average shot distance of 31.9 yards, per ESPN. 

The U.S. and its goalkeeper will need to raise their play against a vaunted attack in the semifinal. Germany has scored in every game this World Cup, including a 4-1 rout of Sweden, a team the U.S. played to a scoreless draw.

While an aggressive, attacking style may have worked against offensively challenged China, the U.S. will need to be smarter about when to rush the net. 

Defenders Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn have been exceptional throughout the World Cup, but they, along with the rest of defense, will need support to combat the Germans. 

While Lloyd is enjoying her attacking freedom, she will need to race back at times to help thwart a German attack. Also, Brian may need to simply clear the ball at times instead of trying to make a pass to start an attack.

Germany has scored nine more goals and taken 42 more shots than any team this tournament, so the U.S. must remain stout defensively or it could get ugly fast.

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The U.S. Must Score Twice 

Even with the strong defense of the United States, Germany’s high-powered attack, led by tournament leading scorer Celia Sasic (6), and its recent trend of scoring in each game make it appear destined to score at least one goal in this match. 

In order to ensure a victory, the United States need to be looking for at least two goals against Germany. 

Deploying the lineup and scheme previously mentioned gives the team the best chance to accomplish this task. Their speed should give Germany problems and force the Europeans to sit back and defend more than they would like. This also would have Abby Wambach come off the bench to provide more striking power if the U.S. is in need of a goal late. 

However, the U.S. will need to finish around the net more effectively than it did against China. The Americans were dangerous and put considerable pressure on the Chinese defense, but they did not create many quality chances.

The few opportunities the U.S. did have were largely wasted, including this inexcusable flub of a shot by Amy Rodriguez: 

That will not cut it against German goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, who is discussed along with Solo as one of the world’s best 'keepers. Angerer’s penalty-kick save against France propelled Germany to this stage: 

Germany is favored to win this match and the tournament, according to ESPN Stats and Info: 

Yet the U.S. appears more confident and reinvigorated than its players have all month heading into this showdown. If they follow these keys and play to their potential, the Americans should put up a great fight. 

Hope Solo will make some huge saves and Alex Morgan will score as the U.S. wins 2-1 in this clash of international titans.