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USWNT: SheBelieves Cup Preview vs. Germany

By Daniel Garza

November 10, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Team USA forward Alex Morgan (13) during the second half against the Romania at Avaya Stadium. Team USA defeated Romania 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
November 10, 2016; San Jose, CA, USA; Team USA forward Alex Morgan (13) during the second half against the Romania at Avaya Stadium. Team USA defeated Romania 8-1. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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The 2017 SheBelieves Cup gets underway for the United States Women’s National Team on Wednesday as they face Olympic Champions Germany.

It will be a stern opening test for the USWNT, as they face an in form Germany side. This will be the first meeting between the two countries since last March, where the U.S were victorious against the Germans in the 2016 edition of the SheBelieves Cup.

Match Info

Who: United States vs. Germany

When: March 1st, 2017 7:00 p.m. (EST)

Where: Talon Energy Stadium; Chester, Pa.

How to Watch: FS1, FOX SPORTS GO

Team Profile: Germany

New manager Steffi Jones will be under the microscope for the duration of the tournament as the jury is still out on her first few months on the job. The longtime Germany player stepped up to take on the manager role after Silvia Neid stepped down.

The Germans are a loaded team when it comes to natural goal scorers, their roster contains the likes of Anja Mittag, Alexandra Popp and Dzsenifer Maroszán. Mittag has scored 49 times in 149 appearances for her country, and was a key part of Germany’s run in the Olympics. Both Popp and Maroszán are considered two of the best young players in the world, they both have already scored over 30 goals in their international careers with the senior team.

Jun 20, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Germany forward Anja Mittag (11) celebrates with forward Celia Sasic (13) after scoring against Sweden during the first half in the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2015 women’s World Cup soccer tournament at Lansdowne Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 20, 2015; Ottawa, Ontario, CAN; Germany forward Anja Mittag (11) celebrates with forward Celia Sasic (13) after scoring against Sweden during the first half in the round of sixteen in the FIFA 2015 women’s World Cup soccer tournament at Lansdowne Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Matt Kryger-USA TODAY Sports /

In net is where the Germans will have some questions to answer coming into the tournament. After the retirement of longtime goalkeeper Nadine Angerer, there has been competition for the starting job between three different players. At the moment, it appears that Laura Schult will get the nod, but Laura Benkarth and Lisa Weiss may also see playing time.

Team Profile: United States

The USWNT will look to continue their dominance against Germany in international competitions. Since 2003, the U.S have not lost to their European counterparts, amassing a record of 8-0-5 over the past 14 years, and outscoring them 23-10.  The USWNT defeated Germany 2-1 in the final match of the 2016 edition of the tournament.

It will be a veteran roster for the most part for the U.S. 17 of the players will be returning from last years SheBelieves Cup roster. Alex Morgan will be among those looking for another strong tournament showing, as she scored twice in the 2016 competition, including a goal against Germany. Carli Lloyd will be another player to watch as she nears the 100 goal mark, currently sitting at 96.

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Much like Germany, the U.S will be looking to test the waters in the net. Three different goalkeepers are on the roster, Alyssa Naeher, Ashlyn Harris and Jane Campbell. It will be interesting to see which of these players gets the start.

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