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HARRISON NJ(SMI-WOMEN-SPORTS, NOV 13, 2022)-US strikers Sophia Smith and Mallory Pugh scored two goals in the second half as the top-ranked US Women National soccer team defeated Germany (FIFA World#3) 2-1, during a friendly match in preparation to the FIFA Women Soccer World Cup Australia & New Zealand 2023 next summer at RedBulls Arena in Harrison, NJ.

With the win, the US snapped a three-games losing streak and closed out the year-end 2022 in a positive note with striker Alex Morgan registering her 200th Cap with the USWNT.

A sold-out game of 26,213 fans gathered at the RedBulls Arena to watch the USA's final match of 2022 and were not disappointed as the Ladies in Stars & Stripes came from behind with two goals in the second half to finish victorious over the powerful German team whom will be toughest competitors in the next year FIFA Women World Cup 2023 in Asia.

Germany went to the attack from the start and opened the score first through midfielder Jule Brand at 18' of the first half. A counter-attack through the right-side field, midfielder Svenja Huth centered the ball inside the penalty box to German's defender Sophia Kleinherne who kicked a right-footed bouncing-off US' defender back Becky Sauerbrunn to Jule Brand who kicked a rolling left-footed ending in the back of the net to put Germany 1-0, over the United States. 

The US tried to regroup their offensive line but were neutralized by the strong
German defensive line with Germany leading 1-0, over the US at the half.

In the second half, the US came out firing in all cylinders scoring two goals in a span of 2-minutes to overcome the deficit to take a 2-1, lead over Germany.

Sofia Smith in a back to back  duo play with midfielder Rose Lavelle  gave it back to Smith inside the 18' who kicked a hard right-footed for the equalizer 1-1, at  54' minute very early in the second half.With the crowd going wild with goal and screaming USA, USA, USA,  the second goal arrived two minutes later through Mallory Pugh at 56' minute when midfielder Andi Sullivan sent a long ball near the German's 25-yard line finding Pugh who ran and with shot a left-footed to score the second goal of the game for the US and sealed the 2-1, win of the United States over Germany.

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Photo: Sophia Smith & Mallory Pugh in action against Germany
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