Women's World Cup 2015: What We Learned from USWNT's Win over Germany

Helped by a new formation, and possibly a lucky ruling or two from the referee, the United States women's national team took down Germany 2-0 to reach its second consecutive World Cup final. 

Buoyed by a switch to a one-striker formation, the United States looked far more creative and potent in attack in the first half, creating numerous chances. It finally broke through in the second half after being awarded a controversial penalty by referee Teodora Albon.

Replays appeared to show German defender Annike Krahn fouling Alex Morgan outside the box, but Albon nevertheless pointed to the spot. Carli Lloyd buried the penalty to put the United States up 1-0.

The goal came mere minutes after Celia Sasic missed an opportunity to put Germany ahead from the spot after being fouled by Julie Johnston. Johnston, it should be said, was lucky not to receive a red card for the foul.

Substitute Kelley O'Hara put the match away for good in the 84th minute, scoring from close range after great work in the box from Lloyd.

The United States will meet the winner of Wednesday's match between England and Japan in Sunday's final.

Let's take a look at some of the key takeaways from Tuesday's match, starting with the United States' new formation.

It turns out the USWNT can be flexible

Head coach Jill Ellis surprised many by abandoning the 4-4-2, instead opting for a hybrid 4-2-3-1/4-3-3 formation. As it happens, she did have the pieces to make a formation change work, earning praise from national-team legend Julie Foudy:

Morgan Brian was a revelation, especially before a scary collision with Alexandra Popp. Sitting next to Lauren Holiday in central midfield, Brian was all over the pitch, coming up with 10 interceptions and six tackles. In short, Brian was the kind of midfield anchor the squad had been crying out for all tournament.

Lloyd, playing in a more advanced position, provided the level of linkup play that had been missing with two strikers on the pitch.

Still, the change in formation didn't make the USWNT Barcelona-level invincible. In fact, the performance stats even favored Germany slightly:

Category	United States	Germany
Possession	49%	51%
Attempts	12	15
On target	5	1
Off target	3	11

While the Germans held the advantage in possession and total shots, the United States created the better chances. Indeed, Morgan had multiple chances to give the United States the lead early in the match, but she could not find a way past Nadine Angerer.

It remains to be seen whether Ellis will keep the one-striker formation for Sunday's final. Brian's health will surely play a factor, as will Ellis' resolve. Abby Wambach's veteran leadership could prove tempting for a final, although one hopes Ellis will be reassured by what she saw from her squad against Germany.

Germany isn't quite there yet

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Considering they're the No. 1-ranked team in the world, the Germans have had an odd time of it since the start of the last World Cup:

• As hosts, they were eliminated from the 2011 World Cup in the quarterfinals.
• They failed to qualify for the 2012 Olympics.
• They won the 2013 UEFA European Championship, conceding just one goal.

After dominating the group stage and then taking apart Sweden in the round of 16, Germany looked well on its way to solidifying its status as the world's best team.

Stiffer tests against France and the United States, however, told a different story.

One can easily argue that France outplayed the team, even though Germany went through on penalties. Against the United States, the Germans looked nervous in defense and struggled to create quality scoring chances. When they did have a look at goal, Johnston's penalty, Sasic didn't even manage to get the ball on frame.

Short of options on the bench, head coach Silvia Neid failed to produce a secondary plan, bringing on an injured Dzsenifer Marozsan as her only substitute.

Germany has built a solid program, but it has yet to find a way over the hump. Whether the bigger questions are on offense or defense seems to vary from tournament to tournament. Until it forges an identity, and develops the mentality for the occasion, Germany will have trouble claiming its first-ever World Cup.

Johnston is fallible

Those responsible for managing the USWNT's social media feeds accurately summed up the team's tournament with one tweet:

If there's one thing that fans can rely on, it's the strength of the USWNT defense. And if there's been one player they can rely on, it's been Julie Johnston.

A virtual unknown to casual fans before the group stage, Johnston was arguably the team's best player through the first five matches.

That changed in the second half against Germany. Sasic beat her in the box on more than one occasion, and her poor challenge that led to the penalty reduced her to tears.

The 20-minute stretch to begin the second half was eye-opening. But the United States emerged unscathed, and Johnston returned to form quickly thereafter. The USWNT will expect a steadier performance from its new star in the final, where it will need to remain composed from start to finish if it is to earn its third World Cup.