In the second test match on their trip to the USA, the German soccer players have to admit defeat to the host world champions. Oberdorf’s state of health is worrying. The midfield ace has to leave the field in the 32nd minute.
At the end of their furious year at the European Championship, the German soccer players had to put up with a small setback against the world champions from the USA. The team of national coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg lost the second intensive endurance test on Sunday (local time) in Harrison/New Jersey after being in the lead 1:2 (1:0), three days earlier the runners-up European champions had prevailed 2:1. “We had a lot of changes and brought in a lot of players who don’t play at this top level that often,” said Voss-Tecklenburg. “We know what we have to work on and we’re glad we were able to play these two games in the USA. “
Jule Brand (18th) scored in front of 26,317 spectators for the DFB selection, which was too vulnerable after the break and took a lot of valuable insights with them to prepare for the World Cup title hunt in Australia and New Zealand (July 20th to August 20th, 2023). With a double strike, Sophia Smith (54th) and Mallory Pugh (56th) ensured the successful revenge of the hosts.
Except for four players, Voss-Tecklenburg changed their starting XI to control the load. As announced, Merle Frohms, who had shone in the first duel with strong saves, had to give way. In the first half, she was replaced by Ann-Katrin Berger, who had made her renewed thyroid cancer disease public after the European Championship. “I know that it was special for you to play a very good half-time here after your illness,” said Voss-Tecklenburg.
The Chelsea goalkeeper got less to do than expected in her fourth international cap. The DFB team started confidently with a lot of ball possession, the USA relied on quick transitions. But Brand rewarded the initially efficient performance with a turn shot after a rebound.
Midfielder Lena Oberdorf, however, was a cause for concern as she had to be substituted after 32 minutes with a shoulder injury and was later taken to the hospital for an X-ray. Chantal Hagel came on for her. As a result, the German team lost more possession and the USA increased the pressure.
After the break, Almuth Schult, who switched to Angel City FC after the European Championships in the USA, took over the place in the DFB goal, but was powerless to concede both goals. The German team acted too carelessly in this phase in the reverse movement against the world-class storm of the Americans. The high tempo took its toll, concentration and strength dwindled in the DFB selection – the frenetically cheered hosts gave new courage. Schult prevented an even greater deficit with a strong save against Pugh (77th).
