DFB-Women go underneath USA and are concerned about Popp
The DFB-Women start well in the Olympic tournament but suffer a setback in the second game: Against the gold-favorites from the USA, Horst Hrubesch's team is largely powerless.
The German women's team was disorganized against the USA in Marseille and must fight for a spot in the quarterfinals at the Olympics. The team coached by Horst Hrubesch lost to the four-time gold medalists 1:4 (1:3). The hopes of the DFB-Women for a medal eight years after their triumph in Rio received a strong blow.
Giulia Gwinn (21st minute) equalized the score against Sophia Smith (10th) at the Stade Vélodrome. Mallory Swanson (26th) and Smith (44th) scored again for the fast-paced American attacks. Lynn Williams sealed the deal in the closing minutes (89th).
The US squad, coached by English trainer Emma Hayes, took the lead in Group B with six points before the last group stage match. Germany is in second place, ahead of Australia (both three), which won wildly against the next DFB opponent, Sambia (zero).
Rodman-Daughter sets up goal
With the two best third-place teams advancing from each group, there is still hope for the German women against Sambia on Wednesday (7 p.m./ARD and Eurosport as well as in the liveticker at ntv.de) in Saint-Étienne. However, the hope of advancing as group leaders to Paris and the Olympic Village significantly diminished. The way to the medal matches will also be more difficult, as a possible rematch with the US girls could come in the semifinals.
"That's a disaster," Lea Schüller had predicted before the game. The striker from FC Bayern could have given the US team a setback with a solo run after just four minutes, but failed after a strong save by goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher. The American forwards then put the German defense under pressure, with Trinity Rodman, the 22-year-old daughter of Basketball-Star Dennis Rodman, making her way through on the right and providing the assist for Smith's goal.
Left back Felicitas Rauch could only watch from behind. The 28-year-old ex-Wolfsburg player was called up as a late replacement for the injured Sarai Linder. Right back Gwinn scored the equalizer with a determined shot from 18 meters.
Berger makes unfortunate figure
But in the turbulent first half hour, the German team suffered another setback: Ann-Katrin Berger, the new number 1 in the German goal from the US club NJ/NY Gotham FC, could not hold onto a ball from Smith. Swanson scored the second goal for the USA and injured Berger in the process. Berger was able to continue playing. However, Rauch made an uncontrollable pass to Berger for the third goal.
After the break, the DFB-Women, led by captain Alexandra Popp, were able to control the game somewhat better. In the end, they had little to offer, although Popp and Sjoeke Nüsken from the midfield tried to increase the pressure. Chelsea-Profi Nüsken had bad luck with a finish from close range, as the ball did not go over the goal line. Popp went off the field with knee problems in the 77th minute. The comeback failed, and Williams scored another goal for the US team during a counterattack.
The loss to the United States women's soccer team under coach Emma Hayes deals a significant blow to Horst Hrubesch's DFB-Women's medal hopes, as they now trail behind in Group B. Alexandra Popp and her teammates will need to perform well against Sambia to secure a spot in the quarterfinals. In the previous game, Trinity Rodman, the 22-year-old daughter of Basketball-Star Dennis Rodman, played a crucial role in the US's victory, setting up Sophia Smith's goal with a strong run and assist.
