USWNT lose 2-1 to Germany as Megan Rapinoe & Co. suffer first home defeat since 2017

The United States women lost again, falling 2-1 to Germany on Thursday night for their first three-game skid since 1993 and first home defeat in more than five years.

Paula Krumbiegel scored the decisive goal in the 89th minute for third-ranked Germany in the exhibition at DRV PNK Stadium – home of Inter Miami CF – in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Megan Rapinoe scored in the 85th minute for the top-ranked Americans, who had been unbeaten in 71 straight games at home. The team’s last loss on U.S. soil came to Australia in July 2017. The U.S. lost to England and Spain last month.

U.S. midfielder Lindsey Horan hit the bar twice on both sides of halftime in a 2-1 loss for the US

Germany midfielder Paulina Krumbiegel (27) celebrates after scoring a dramatic, late winner

US forward Alex Morgan and Germany forward Klara Buhl jump for a header in the second half

Inter Miami head coach Phil Neville, right, talks with U.S. head coach Vlatko Andonovski, left,

Lindsey Horan had a good chance for the United States in the 34th minute but her header was just off. Moments later, Rose Lavelle’s attempt appeared to deflect off Horan and hit the crossbar but fell just outside the goal line.

Horan tried a bicycle kick early in the second half that went off the post. On the counter, U.S. goalkeeper Casey Murphy made a dramatic save, but Klara Buhl had the rebound, which hit the post and bounced off Murphy for an own goal in the 52nd minute. 

It then appeared the Americans would avoid an infamous streak when Rapinoe scored her 63rd international goal from an Alex Morgan cross, 12 minutes after her entrance into the match.

The U.S. finished with only a minor 18-17 edge in shots, and Murphy and German counterpart Merle Frohms had two saves each. 

Megan Rapinoe celebrates after scoring the equalizer, 12 minutes after coming on for the US

Klara Buhl opened the scoring for Germany through an own goal in the 52nd minute in Florida

Rapinoe takes a free kick during the second half of the friendly match between both teams

Germany’s head coach Martina Voss-Tecklenburg greets Sjoeke Nusken with the score at 2-1

Inter Miami’s head coach Phil Neville, who used to coach the Lioness, was spotted among the home crowd with his son, Harvey, who was recently made eligible for selection in the upcoming MLS expansion draft after his father’s side declined to protect the player following just one league appearance this season. 

It was the first of two friendlies against Germany to conclude the year. The game was almost called off amid the threat of Storm Nicole on Florida’s Atlantic coast. 

Both teams are preparing for next summer’s Women’s World Cup, co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand.

The United States has won the past two women’s World Cups and has four titles overall.

The USWNT have lost their third game in a row since 1993 and first home defeat since 2017

Germany is the only other team to win multiple women’s World Cups, with titles in 2003 and 2007.

Germany lost to England in the final of the Women’s Euro this summer but has won four straight since.

The teams meet again Sunday at Red Bull Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey.

The United States heads to New Zealand in January for training camp and a pair of exhibition games against the Kiwis on January 18 and January 21, both in stadiums where the Americans will play during the group stage of the World Cup.