Women's World Cup 2015: Last-Minute Preview and Prediction for USA vs. Germany

The semifinals of the 2015 Women's World Cup will kick off Tuesday night when the United States Women's National Team takes on top-ranked Germany in Montreal at 7 ET. 

And now it's getting personal.

Germany coach Silvia Neid decided to take shots at the United States, but not just for their actions on the field.

"The USA are so very convinced about themselves," she said, according to Ben Gladwell of espnW.com. "Americans are naturally loud."

The "loud" Americans will likely let their defense do the talking in tonight's match, as it is the backbone of their team and the key to their success. And against Germany's high-powered offense, it is going to have to be stellar.

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Germany's 20 goals in the World Cup are nine more than any other team. In fact, their 10 goal barrage against Ivory Coast are three more goals than the U.S. has scored in the entire World Cup. The United States will have to especially keep an eye on both Celia Sasic and Anja Mittag, whose six and five goals in the World Cup lead the tournament. 

USA's defense has been excellent thus far in the World Cup, allowing just one goal. The U.S. now has four consecutive shutouts following its opening match against Australia and will look to keep the trend going. 

While the U.S. has allowed just 13 shots on goal thus far in the World Cup, Germany is averaging 12 shots on goal per game. It's clear that the United States has yet to face an offensive attack as dangerous as Germany's and will have to rely on defenders such as Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn to anchor their backfield.

Additionally, the last line of defense for the U.S. has to continue her high level of play as well.  

United States goalie Hope Solo may be the national team's all-time wins leader, but she'll be looking to add another victory to her total on Tuesday night. 

Although the Germans will test her, U.S. coach Jill Ellis is confident in her lady between the pipes. After all, she hasn't allowed a goal in 423 minutes. 

"I think she's the best goalkeeper in the world. She's done a fantastic job with this team, with this program. I think she's just highly talented, highly motivated and has earned those games because on the field, she's tremendous," she said, per Graham Hays of espnW.com.

Germany's coach was much less impressed with Solo when asked about her a few weeks ago, however. She made it clear that she prefers her goalkeeper instead. 

"Nadine Angerer is very focused on the games, not much of a party-goer like I hear Hope is," Neid said, according to Nancy Armour of USA Today. "I have players who are extravagant, intelligent and do have a life outside of soccer. I don't know what the case is for Hope Solo."

Solo and Angerer have each played 15 World Cup matches in their respective careers, with Angerer holding a slight edge.

The 36-year-old goalkeeper has an 11-3-1 record while Solo is 10-4-1 and has allowed three more goals. Each player has appeared in one World Cup Final game, albeit with opposite results. Angerer had a shutout over Brazil in the 2007 World Cup Final while Solo came up just short in 2011, losing to Japan in a penalty kick shootout.

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The showdown between the top two teams in the FIFA world ranking is like a finals match in itself, but the U.S. has to stay focused. Germany may be ranked No. 1, but the U.S. has won two of the three meetings between these two teams. 

In what should be a classic clash of offense against defense, the United States will look to advance to their second consecutive World Cup final with the hopes of winning their first since 1999. Reaching this stage should be no surprise for the USWNT, as they have reached the semifinal in every World Cup they have participated in.  

With its stifling defense and the return of suspended midfielders Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday, the United States should be just fine against Germany. The stout defense and goalkeeping will allow them to knock off Germany and head into the Final as the favorites to win the World Cup.