Women’s World Cup: When These Two Stars Clash, the Gloves Are On

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By ANDREW KEH
Germany goalkeeper Nadine Angerer was described by Coach Silvia Neid as her “right-hand” woman. Credit Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images
MONTREAL — When Germany, the world’s top team, meets the United States, the world’s second-ranked squad, in a Women’s World Cup semifinal game Tuesday, there will be a matchup of goalkeepers befitting the stakes.

On one end will be Hope Solo, whom many, particularly those on her team, consider the best keeper in the world. On the other side will be Nadine Angerer, who two years ago became the first goalkeeper to win FIFA’s World Player of the Year award.

Their juxtaposition will be all the more meaningful if the elimination game goes to penalty kicks, an area in which both excel.

“I think this match is going to be the biggest test for both goalkeepers,” said forward Alex Morgan, who has played with Solo during her entire international career and recently welcomed Angerer to her club team, the Portland Thorns.

Solo has been a stellar, steadying presence between the goal posts, even as she has not particularly been tested. Since the first game of the tournament, the United States has gone 423 minutes without conceding a goal and has allowed an average of only 2.6 shots on goal per game.

It should be a wholly different challenge for Solo and the Americans against Germany, which has taken 134 shots in this tournament. As defender Ali Krieger warned on Sunday, the German players seem willing to try their luck on goal from anywhere.

Solo, whose tournament began under the shadow of a report on ESPN that detailed her arrest last year on domestic violence charges, has barely been available to the reporters in Canada this month.

“We’re proud of her, and it gives us a lot of confidence to have her behind us,” her teammate Heather O’Reilly said.

The teams have spoken respectfully of each other, with the goalkeepers taking much of the spotlight. Krieger said of Angerer, “She’s a leader of that team, and I think that they really look to her for making these M.V.P. plays, and she consistently does that at the right times.”

Angerer’s most vivid play came in Germany’s last game, a shootout win over France, in which she made the clinching save.

Angerer, who first played for the national team in 1996, has played in 144 international games and has won two World Cups. She has served as the team’s captain since 2011, attaining a beloved stature on the squad.

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“She’s a very happy person, and for us younger players, she’s always available,” said Alexandra Popp, 24, of Germany. “You can have fun with her. You can have serious talks with her. She’ll give you advice, if you want it.”