The USMNT advanced to the knockout round of the 2014 World Cup after losing to Group G winners Germany on Thursday in Recife. In wet conditions, both teams had trouble turning opportunities into shots on goal in the first-half. The USMNT needed to do more than Germany to keep the game scoreless, with Germany finally getting the game’s only goal in the 55th minute. Portugal beat Ghana in the other game, with the USMNT comfortably advancing on goal difference in 2nd-place.
Germany’s goal came from a corner kick in the 55th minute. USMNT goalkeeper Tim Howard punched out the initial shot, but it fell to Thomas Muller who scored from the rebound. Though Germany had the bulk of the chances, the USMNT wasn’t without opportunities of their own. The USMNT pressed for a late equalizer but were unable to come up with a tying goal. The USMNT advances to their second straight Round of 16, a first for the United States.
USMNT coach Jurgen Klinsmann made two changes to his starting eleven following the 2-2 draw with Portugal. Omar Gonzalez replaced Geoff Cameron in central defense and Brad Davis got the start in place of Alejandro Bedoya in midfield. Bedoya later subbed on for Davis.
This is the first loss at the 2014 World Cup for the USMNT. They advance with four points, beating Ghana and drawing Portugal. The USMNT faces the winner of Group H in the next round. That group concludes later in the day on Thursday with Belgium holding a 3-point lead over Algeria.
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Germany
Date: June 26, 2014
Competition: 2014 FIFA World Cup – Group G
Venue: Arena Pernambuco; Recife, Brazil
Kickoff: 12 p.m. ET
Attendance: 41,876
Weather: 73 degrees, rainy
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 0 0
GER 0 1 1
GER – Thomas Muller 55th minute
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 23-Fabian Johnson, 3-Omar Gonzalez, 5-Matt Besler, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 15-Kyle Beckerman, 13-Jermaine Jones; 14-Brad Davis (11-Alejandro Bedoya, 59), 4- Michael Bradley, 19- Graham Zusi (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 84) 8-Clint Dempsey (capt.)
Subs Not Used: 6-John Brooks, 10-Mix Diskerud, 12-Brad Guzan, 16-Julian Green, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 20-Geoff Cameron, 21-Timmy Chandler, 22-Nick Rimando, 23-Aron Johannsson
Not Available: 17-Jozy Altidore
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
GER : 1-Manuel Neuer; 4-Benedikt Howedes, 5-Mats Hummels, 17-Per Mertesacker, 20-Jerome Boateng; 7-Bastian Schweinsteiger (19-Mario Gotze,76), 16-Phillip Lahm, 18-Toni Kroos; 8-Mesut Ozil (9-Andre Schurrle, 89), 10-Lukas Podolski (11-Miroslav Klose, 46), 13-Thomas Muller
Subs not used: 2-Kevin Grosskreutz, 3-Matthias Ginter, 6-Sami Khedira, 12-Ron-Robert Zieler, 14-Julian Draxler, 15-Erik Durm, 21-Shkodran Mustafi, 22-Roman Weidenfeller, 23-Christoph Kramer
Head coach: Joachim Low
Stats Summary: USA / GER
Shots: 4 / 13
Shots on Goal: 1 / 6
Saves: 5 / 0
Corner Kicks: 2 / 3
Fouls: 15 / 9
Offside: 2 / 7
Misconduct Summary:
GER – Benedikt Howedes (caution) 11th minute
USA – Omar Gonzalez (caution) 37
USA – Kyle Beckerman (caution) 62
Officials:
Referee: Ravshan Irmatov (UZB)
Assistant Referee 1: Abduxamidullo Rasulov (UZB)
Assistant Referee 2: Bakhadyr Kochkarov (KGZ)
Fourth Official: Alioum (CMR)
