U.S. U-17 WNT eliminated from FIFA World Cup with loss to Germany
MONTEVIDEO, Uruguay (Via U.S. Soccer) – The USA was knocked out of the 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup following a 4-0 loss to Germany in the final Group C match for both teams.
Both teams went into the game needing a win to qualify for the quarterfinals, but in the end, the Germans were far more efficient in their finishing and advanced as first place in the group along with second-place Korea DPR.
After the USA gave up a goal on a direct free kick in the fourth minute, the young Americans put together an energetic response. The USA would have had a comfortable lead in the first half if not for some less-than-sharp finishing and a stellar performance from six-foot Germany goalkeeper Wiebke Willebrandt.
“I’m so proud of our team’s performance,” head coach Mark Carr said. “The way we played, the chances we created, the brand of soccer we played, how aggressive we were for 90 minutes, even when we were down a player, we didn’t stop. While it’s the end of this journey for our players, it’s just the beginning. They will fly with their wings wide. I’m a very proud coach of our team today.”
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In the fifth minute, U.S. forward Isabella D’Aquila shot high on a point-blank chance after midfielder Mia Fishel played a pass back to her in the seam. In the eighth, D’Aquila raced into the box on the left side and played a pass to forward Trinity Rodman who had a wide-open shot, but Willebrandt flew to make a spectacular one-handed save.
In the 13th minute, midfielder Sophia Jones picked off a German pass in the attacking third and two quick passes got D’Aquila in behind the German defense. She put her one-on-one chance low and on frame, but Willebrandt made a brilliant kick save.
In 18th minute, the USA took a tricky free kick, passing from the left side to forward Jordan Canniff inside the penalty box. It caught the Germans off guard, and Canniff had an open shot, albeit from a tough angle, that hit the outside of the left post.
Willebrandt came up big again in the 27th, making a point-blank save on Canniff inside the six-yard box after a cross was flighted in from the right flank and bounced before Canniff volleyed it on frame.
After the USA failed to convert any of those chances, Germany scored its second goal on its second shot-on-goal in the 32nd minute as the Europeans doubled their lead via a counter-attack off a breakaway.
The USA finally put the ball in the net in the first minute of first-half stoppage time through D’Aquila, but it was waved off for a handball on D’Aquila before she shot.
The USA started the second half once again on the front foot, and Fishel worked herself free in the right side of the penalty area in the 49th minute, but shot just wide of the left post.
The USA continued to push forward for a goal but could not produce one and Germany, once again on a counter-attack, earned a questionable penalty kick in the 64th. Ivana Fuso took it and U.S. goalkeeper Angelina Anderson saved the shot with a dive to her right to keep the USA alive. The U.S. pushed forward after the save, but Germany countered right back and seconds later made it 3-0 in the 65th minute to effectively put the match away.
The USA finished the game with 10 players after defender Talia DellePeruta was sent off in the 82nd minute after receiving her second yellow card.
In the 87th, Rodman worked herself free inside the penalty area, but her shot bounced off the inside left post and rolled out of danger, a last sign that it was not to be the USA’s day.
Germany added yet another counter-attack goal in the dying seconds for the final margin.
Goal Scoring Rundown
GER – Vanessa Fudalla, fourth minute
After U.S. defender Michela Agresti chopped down Germany forward Ivana Fuso just outside the penalty area, Germany was awarded a free kick. Fudalla then bent a left-footed kick over the defensive wall and into the lower right corner past diving U.S. goalkeeper Angelina Anderson. USA 0, GER 1
GER – Shekiera Martinez (Ivana Fuso), 32nd minute
Totally against the run of play, Germany counter-attacked down the left side as Fuso played Martinez behind the U.S. back line. Martinez raced into the penalty area and rolled her shot past the onrushing Anderson into the lower right corner to double the lead. USA 0, GER 2
GER – Shekiera Martinez (Ivana Fuso), 65th minute
Immediately after a penalty kick save by Anderson, the USA pushed forward, but Germany won the ball and Vanessa Fudalla hit a long ball over the top of the defense to Fuso, who raced into the penalty box on a breakaway, pulled Anderson out and squared to Martinez, who easily rolled the ball into the right corner to effectively put an end to the match. USA 0, GER 3. FINAL
GER – Laura Donhauser (Ivana Fuso), 65th minute
Germany put in a final goal against a tired and pushed-up U.S. side when Laura Donhauser raced 50 yards with the ball at the U.S. goal, rounded Anderson, and then slid to finish for the final margin. USA 0, GER 4. FINAL
Additional Notes:
- The USA ends this cycle with an overall international record of 24-4-6, with two of the losses coming in this World Cup.
- The USA out-shot Germany 25-13 over the match, holding an advantage in possession and chances, hitting the woodwork twice while putting eight shots on target to Germany’s seven.
- Germany scored on both its shots on goal in the first half and two of its five in the second.
- U.S. head coach Mark Carr made three subs in the second half, putting on forwards Sunshine Fontes and Payton Linnehan as well as midfielder Maya Doms.
- Fontes finishes the cycle as the USA’s all-time leader in U-17 international goals with 24, scoring 22 this year.
– U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team Match Report –
Match: U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team vs. Germany
Date: Nov. 21, 2018
Competition: 2018 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup – Group C
Venue: Estadio Charrúa; Montevideo, Uruguay
Attendance: 580
Kickoff: 3 p.m. ET (5 p.m. local time)
Weather: 80 degrees; mostly sunny
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
GER 2 2 4
GER – Vanessa Fudalla
GER – Shekiera Martinez (Ivana Fuso) 32
GER – Shekiera Martinez (Ivana Fuso) 65
GER – Laura Donhauser (Ivana Fuso) 89
Lineups:
USA: 1-Angelina Anderson (capt.); 3-Talia Dellaperuta, 19-Michela Agresti, 15-Natalia Staude, 2-Makenna Morris, 20-Sohia Jones, 10-Mia Fishel (8-Maya Doms, 66), 14-Hannah Bebar, 11-Trinity Rodman, 13-Isabella D’Aquila (18-Sunshine Fontes, 54), 9-Jordan Canniff (16-Payton Linnehan, 68)
Substitutes not used: 12-Julia Dohle, 21-Lindsey Romig, 4-Smith Hunter, 17-Samar Guidry, 6-Astrid Wheeler, 5-Triniry Byars, 7-Samantha Meza
Head Coach: Mark Carr
GER: 1-Wiebke Willebrandt, 4-Emilie Bernhardt, 18-Charlotte Bluemel, 3-Julia Pollak (15-Lina Jubel, 86), 2-Laura Donhauser, 8-Leonie Koester, 6-Anna Aehling, 11-Vanessa Fudalla, 10-Ivana Fuso (capt.), 7-Gia Corley (20-Sophie Weidauer, 63), 9-Shekiera Martinez (16-Gentiana Fetaj, 72)
Substitutes: 12-Maria Grohs, 21-Pauline Nelles, 5-Greta Stegemann, 14-Madeleine Steck, 13-Aliya Diagne, 17-Leonie Weber, 19-Pauline Berning
Head coach: Ulrike Ballweg
Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 25 / 13
Shots on Goal: 8 / 7
Saves: 3 / 8
Corner Kicks: 8 / 1
Fouls: 11 / 8
Offside: 2 / 3
Misconduct Summary:
GER – Leonie Koester (caution) 50th minute
USA – Talia DellaPeruta (caution) 53
USA – Michela Agresti (caution) 59
GER – Julia Pollak (caution) 69
USA – Talia DellaPeruta (caution) 82
USA – Talia DellaPeruta (sent off) 82
Officials:
Referee: Laura Fortunato (ARG)
Assistant Referee 1: Mariana De Almeida (ARG)
Assistant Referee 2: Nilda Gamarra (PAR)
4th Official: Maria Carvajal (CHI)
ussoccer.com Woman of the Match: Trinity Rodman
