The United States is a win away from a World Cup final, but it feels closer.
Tuesday night’s semifinal clash against Germany at Olympic Stadium (7 p.m. ET on FOX) is more like a final — for both teams — as the winner moves on to the championship match while the loser plays for third place.
It’s the No. 1 vs. No. 2 teams in the world. The most dangerous attack in Germany, a team that’s scored more goals (20) than any other this World Cup, pitted against the strongest defense in the U.S., which has conceded just once.
“This is why we’re here,” said defender Ali Krieger, who played professionally for four years in Germany. “We want to beat the best team in the world and to win the trophy, that’s what you have to do. Coming off the game against China we have that extra confidence to hopefully start off the game as well as we did last one.”
The other semifinal, which is on Wednesday, features No. 4 Japan against No. 6 England and doesn’t have the same cache.
Historically, when the U.S. and Germany have met in a World Cup, the victor has gone onto win it all. In 1991, the teams played in the semifinals and after the United States crushed the Germans 5-2, it beat Norway in the final to win the first-ever World cup. In 1999, the USA beat Germany 3-2 in the quarterfinal en route to its second world title. In 2003, it was Germany that came out on top, defeating the Americans 3-0 in the semis on the way to its first World Cup trophy.
The U.S. team is aware of what has transpired, but isn’t concerned by it.
“I don’t think about it like that,” Heather O’Reilly said.
The U.S. will face the most tenacious attack it has seen all tournament with Germany, which will be a tremendous challenge for a rather untested back line.
“They’re good one v. one attacking, they can shoot from anywhere and they’re strong in the air as well,” Krieger said.
On the flip side, the U.S. offense showed a fire unseen in the quarterfinal when Carli Lloyd was given the freedom to roam midfield and attack while Morgan Brian anchored the middle. Coach Jill Ellis opted for a speedier front line by using Alex Morgan, Amy Rodriguez, and O’Reilly in relief.
The high-pressure game plan paid dividends, which forces Ellis to make several difficult decisions heading into the semifinal. Does the U.S. attempt to match Germany’s attack or opt for a conservative and defensive approach?
The World Cup final is waiting for one of these teams a week from now, but it feels closer.
