International Recap: OL Reign Players go 1-1-1 on Thursday
Israel vs. Germany
The No. 3 ranked Germany Women’s National team played a World Cup qualifying game against No. 71 Israel at HaMoshava Stadium in Petah Tikva, Israel. Germany dominated the match but came away with a narrow one-goal victory. OL Reign midfielder Dzsenifer Marozsán started the game and played all 90 minutes. She earned the lone assist in Germany’s victory.
Germany got off the on front foot, in command of possession and maintaining an offensive threat. This hard work paid off early for the Germans, as they earned a penalty kick in the 12th minute of the match. Sara Däbritz stepped up to the spot to take the kick but was unable to convert and the game remained 0-0.
Israel’s defense was weathering back-to-back attacks, but remained strong, working well as a team. Germany displayed great patience and found the lone goal of the game in the 18th minute. Dzsenifer Marozsán played a great pass in to Captain Svenja Huth, who pushed the ball past the Israeli goalkeeper to take the lead. Neither team found the back of the net after the 18th minute and Germany went to the locker room with the narrow lead.
After half time, Germany began to dominate even more, but their shots on goal could not beat the Israeli goalkeeper and the score remained 1-0. The two teams go head-to-head again on Tuesday, this time in Germany.
Costa Rica vs. Jamaica
Costa Rica suffered a 1-0 loss against Jamaica behind closed doors in Florida. The match was not open for fans to attend and was not broadcast for spectators. OL Reign midfielder Shirley Cruz was in Costa Rica’s starting lineup. Costa Rica dominated the majority of the match but did not have sound decision making and that ultimately lead to their demise. Costa Rica conceded a penalty near the of the match and Jamaica converted the kick to secure the 1-0 lead. The two teams meet again on Sunday, this time in front of fans at DRV PNK Stadium in Fort Lauderdale.
United States vs. Korea Republic
The United States had their 22-game home win streak snapped by South Korea on Thursday, when the two teams battled to a 0-0 draw. OL Reign midfielder Rose Lavelle started the match and played a full 90 minutes, while OL Reign forward Megan Rapinoe started the game and got subbed out at halftime.
The United States had several chances in the first minutes of the match, but South Korea was successful at staying compact and organized in defense and shut down those chances. Korea had chances of their own, mostly on the counterattack, but also did not find the back of the net. The two teams went into the half time break scoreless.
After half time, the United States made a series of substitutions, but ultimately their style of the play did not change enough to break down Korea Republic. The team produced a number of chances, but then the momentum shifted in favor of Korea.
Though neither team was dominating, Korea Republic had several threatening opportunities created from counter attacks. The United States defense and goalkeeper maintained the shutout though and at the very end of the game had a flurry of chances, but the Korean goalkeeper performed well in goal to keep the game level. Though the game ended 0-0, the U.S. is unbeaten in 61 home matches. The two teams meet again on Tuesday at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota.