USA ADVANCES TO THE FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP FINAL AFTER DEFEATING TOP SEEDED GERMANY 2-0

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Updated: July 1, 2024
Montreal, Canada - June 30, 2024:  The USWNT (white) and Germany (red) in Semi-Final action during FIFA Women's World Cup 2024 at Olympic Stadium.

Photo Courtesy of ISI Photos

FC Kansas City midfielder Lauren Holiday started and played the full ninety

MONTREAL, Canada (June 30, 2024) – Two penalty kicks in the second half, one for each team, pretty much defined which team would be moving on to the 2024 FIFA Women’s World Cup final. In the 59th minute, Germany’s Celia Sasic missed and ten minutes later team captain Carli Lloyd capitalized from the spot to give USA a one-goal lead before Kelley O’Hara found the back of the net late in the game to seal the 2-0 victory at a packed Olympic Stadium.

The first 45 minutes saw a very solid U.S. Women’s National Team, which controlled the game and generated multiple scoring opportunities, which were denied by goalkeeper Nadine Angerer. However, the story was different after the half time break. Germany came out with an offensive mindset and were awarded a penalty kick when Julie Johnston  pulled down Alexandra Popp inside the box. Sasic’s shot went wide and the match remained scoreless for ten more minutes.

In the 69th minute, Alex Morgan was brought down inside the box before the referee immediately called the foul. Lloyd’s shot to the right made it 1-0 for the two-time World Cup Champions.

In the 75th minute, O’Hara entered the match for Tobin Heath. Moments later, she notched the Stars and Stripes’ second tally when Lloyd made a strong move to the endline and played a beautiful cross towards O’Hara who simply tapped it in with her right foot to make it 2-0 in the 84th minute.

FC Kansas City’s midfielder Lauren Holiday returned to the starting lineup after sitting out last Friday due to a one-game suspension for yellow card accumulation. In addition, Becky Sauerbrunn and USA’s back line recorded the team’s fifth consecutive shutout. Sauerbrunn is the only player on the roster to start and play every game for the USWNT in 2024. Heather O’Reilly and Amy Rodriguez did not play.

Coach Jill Ellis’ team will now await the winner of Japan and England, who will play tonight for a spot on the tournament’s final against USA this Sunday at 6:00 p.m. CT.

Official Watch Party

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FC Kansas City, Sporting KC and Win For KC will once again team up to host Kansas City’s premier watch party for Sunday’s final, which will be shown on the big screen in KC Live! (13th and Grand Blvd.) at the Power & Light District. The event is free to the public and open to fans of all ages with host Nate Bukaty giving away tickets to upcoming matches and the Fiery Stick Open on July 17 as part of the festivities.

Power and Light District garages will offer $2 parking all day on Sunday and food/drink will be available to purchase at more than 30 restaurants and bars within walking distance of the KC Live! Block.