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The atmosphere was electric in Portland’s PGE Park on Sunday 6 October. The crowd was on its feet throughout, in full voice and cheering on the holders and hosts down 0-1 early and facing the daunting task of breaking down powerful European Champions Germany.

It was a game of tremendous grace, grit, pace and power…a football match for the ages. A Kerstin Garefrekes flicked header at the near post after only 15 minutes set the stage for a tense battle. As the deft touch glanced off the underside of the crossbar, U.S. goalkeeper Briana Scurry could only look around in stunned disbelief and the only sound in the packed stadium was the German screams from the pitch and the bench. The 27,000-strong capacity crowd was stunned into silence.

“Down on the field, right in the centre of everything, it was electric today,” said second-half substitute Tiffeny Milbrett, who is a native of Portland – also known as “Soccer City USA.” “I have to credit Portland. It’s a big soccer city…and they come prepared to enjoy every part of the game, not just the goals.”

The more you attack, the more you are exposed

And for the remaining 75-plus minutes, the hosts and favourites railed back, with Mia Hamm orchestrating, Cindy Parlow charging down the right flank like a runaway train and Kristine Lilly pushing and pushing through the centre of midfield. The hosts were frenziedly dragging themselves back into the match. But a superb performance from German keeper Silke Rottenberg and a defensive display for the ages from the entire German team kept the previously unassailable Americans off the board.

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And as the U.S. pressed forward, throwing everything into a final, desperate attack, and the clock ticked agonisingly closer to the final whistle, Maren Meinert and Birgit Prinz combined twice in stoppage time to kill off any hope of a dramatic fight back. It was only the Americans second FIFA Women’s World Cup loss in history, and the tears that soaked the ground that night when the final whistle blew were contrasted sharply by the wild celebrations of the elated Germans.

“The game was end-to-end attack orientated,” said U.S. coach and former FIFA Women’s World Cup veteran April Heinrichs. “It had spectacular attacking play. I wouldn’t want to lose any other way. Being down 1-0, I wouldn’t want to lose any other way than going out there and continuing to create chances, continuing to get behind them, continuing to get the service that we did. I wouldn’t have had it any other way.”

The best game ever…

The U.S. were headed for home, and many of the game’s finest had surely seen their last FIFA Women’s World Cup match. And as the Americans asked unanswerable questions, the Germans, now the favourites, were heading for a Final date with destiny in Los Angeles on Sunday on 12 Ocotber.

Through the obvious disappointment, Heinrichs spoke in glowing terms of the brittle battle. “In reflection we will be able to deal with this loss,” said the always-dignified boss, holding back a tear. “In many ways, that was the best game ever played in women's football and I am as proud of my team now as I was before the kick-off.”

FIFA Technical Study Group member Vera Pauw agreed wholeheartedly with Heinrich’s assessment. “It was the most exciting women’s game I have ever seen in my life,” she told FIFAworldcup.com following the match.

Americans dignified in defeat

Crushed striker Milbrett offered her praise and respect for the final-bound Germans after the emotional match. “They’re just soccer machines,” she said. “It’s combination play all throughout the field. Every player out there can be an attacker that really holds possession for them or is dangerous getting forward. That’s what makes Germany special.”

Hamm, America’s female footballing princess and in many ways the face of the women’s game, seemed most distraught following the epic clash. Crouched on the grass, under the merciless glow of the floodlights, with each team mate coming over to offer condolences, she looked back on the experience and offered a glimpse of her true class.

“This team is so great in every way, I wouldn’t change one moment,” said the modest striker. “Every single player is extremely unselfish. Even in defeat, this is one of my favourite teams I’ve ever been a part of. They play with so much pride and responsibility and they love what they do.”

“It was a great game,” said German head coach Tina Theune-Meyer. “I think both teams played on a high level, and it was an awesome atmosphere here in Portland.”

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