Not just a Solo effort

MONTREAL -- The Americans will have to wait until Sunday before they have the opportunity to call themselves the best women's soccer team in the world, but they certainly put did their best foot and feet forward against the top-ranked team Tuesday.

Utilizing steely defense, a penalty kick and more heroics by Carli Lloyd, the second-ranked United States booked a spot in the Women's World Cup final with a 2-0 victory over top-ranked Germany at Olympic Stadium.

Lloyd converted a penalty kick and set up second-half substitute Kelley O'Hara with an insurance goal before 51,176 spectators, most of whom rooted for the Americans with their "USA! USA!" chants.

The USA will meet the winner of tonight's semifinal between Japan and England as it will try to break a 16-year drought and win its third world title.

The American defense -- fortified by its back four and goalkeeper Hope Solo -- shut out a team that entered the match with a tournament-best 20 goals. Moreover, they recorded their fifth consecutive shutout and extending their shutout streak to 513 minutes.

"It was an unbelievable duel between two tremendous teams," USA Coach Jill Ellis said. "Obviously we are delighted to be moving on. Just really, really pleased and proud of the players. I thought they stepped up."

None more than Lloyd, who earned her third player of the match in six games.

"I feel we have really, really good momentum," she said. "We've got each other's backs. It's a good feeling. I have a really confident feeling."

The game turned during a nine-minute span in the second half when referee Teodora Albom ruled that center back Julie Johnston had taken down striker Alexandra Popp in the box in the 59th minute.

Germany Coach Silvia Neid said she thought Johnston should have been red carded on the play.

"The rules says yes, but she didn't get a red card," she said.

Celia Sasic took the ensuing penalty and drilled her attempt just wide right while Solo dived the other way as the USA dodged a bullet. Sasic held her hands in astonishment that she would miss such a shot.

The miss gave the Americans a second wind and they went on attack. Alex Morgan came close in the 66th minute and was running toward the net when she was taken down inside the area by Annike Krahn a minute later. Krahn received a yellow card, the USA a penalty kick.

Lloyd had some time to think as the referee dealt with an encroaching German player.

"It felt like it was a good five minutes while waiting," she said. "I didn't know what the goalkeeper was doing or saying. All I knew that I had to sink the PK."

Which she did, converting the penalty over Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer into the right corner as she dove in the other direction. The crowd celebrated a 1-0 American lead in the 69th minute.

"I am very, very sad about this, that this penalty shot decided the match," Neid said. "What I am going to do now? We have to live with it. I am very sad but I cannot change it."

Ten minutes after O'Hara replaced Heath in the 75th minute, Lloyd played goal creator, finding space on the left of the box and crossing the ball to O'Hara, who got position on a defender and volleyed the ball home for a 2-0 advantage.

Sports on 07/01/2015