In their last matches of 2022, the United States Women's National Team fell, 2-1, to No. 3-ranked Germany, continuing a string of very competitive games leading up to the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup. Two goals were scored in the last five minutes of regulation, with one scored by Megan Rapinoe for the United States. Despite a fast start, the match ended in a scoreless tie at halftime.

Some unlucky bounces to start the second half worked against the US women. Horan's spectacular volley went wide left of the goal first. After avoiding falling further behind, Germany scored on the subsequent counterattack when Klara Bühl's bending effort struck the right post, rebounded off the back of the diving Murphy, and rolled past the goal line in the 52nd minute to give Germany a 1-0 lead.

In the 85th minute, Alex Morgan's substitution paid off when she thwarted a Germany clearance, picked up the resulting loose ball, and crossed it low into the center of the penalty area. Rapinoe was left unmarked and slammed the ball to make it 1-1. Rapinoe scored her 63rd and first goal for the United States in more than a year.

In the 89th minute, a pressing U.S. squad conceded a goal on a counterattack by Germany's Paulina Krumbiegel, ending the comeback hopes of the home side. The winning goal for Germany ended the United States Women's National Team's second-longest home undefeated record, which had stood at 71 games. They'll look for revenge this coming Sunday when they take on Germany again at Red Bull Arena. 

[Photography by ICONIC photographer Hannah DiLorenzo]