Montreal • During its rough start to this World Cup, the U.S. women's national soccer team promised brighter days ahead, that the sputtering attack and grinding style would give way to the beauty and prosperity that has defined the program for most of 25 years.
On Tuesday night, the second-ranked Americans continued their ascension, defeating No. 1 Germany, 2-0, to book a place in Sunday's championship game in Vancouver.
Carli Lloyd converted a penalty kick in the 69th minute after a questionable call, and substitute Kelley O'Hara stabbed in the clincher 15 minutes later for her first international goal before 51,176 at Olympic Stadium as the United States continued its quest for a first world title since 1999.
Japan, the reigning champion, and England will play in the other semifinal Wednesday in Edmonton.
Until O'Hara's goal, assisted by Lloyd, it appeared the match would be decided by a pair of second-half penalty kicks.
Germany missed. Lloyd scored.
Hope Solo and the U.S. defense have posted five consecutive shutouts and extended their scoreless streak to 513 minutes.
In the first half, the Americans were innovative and energetic. The attack flowed like never before in this four-week competition, leading to two terrific scoring opportunities in the early stage. On both occasions, Nadine Angerer made left-footed kick saves.
The U.S. defense remained firm, yielding no clear opportunities until Julie Johnston, in her only misstep of the tournament, misplayed a ball into the box and yanked down Alexandra Popp by the shoulder in the 59th minute.
Up stepped Celia Sasic, the World Cup's leading scorer with six goals. Solo, though, was going to make Sasic think about it. She conversed with referee Teodura Albon and fidgeted beyond the goal line. By the time Albon placed the ball on the spot, Sasic did not look like a confident shooter.
Solo dived one way. The shot went the other way ... and wide of the left post.
About eight minutes later, Albon awarded a penalty to the U.S. team, but this one was not as clear cut as the previous infraction. Alex Morgan surged toward the penalty area. Annike Krahn blocked her path. Morgan rode up Krahn's back and tumbled.
A foul? Probably not. Besides, the contact had occurred a whisker outside the box.
Lloyd made no mistakes with the penalty kick, striking the ball with authority into the upper right side as Angerer sprawled in the other direction. It was her third consecutive goal in the knockout stage.
Montreal's historic neighborhoods and waterfronts were colored red, white and blue the past two days as thousands of U.S. supporters descended on the city. The Metro was jammed with stadium-bound riders disembarking at the site of the 1976 Summer Olympics and former home of the Expos.
In the hours before kickoff, speculation swirled around Jill Ellis's lineup. Would Abby Wambach, the sport's greatest scorer, regain a starting role? Would Megan Rapinoe and Lauren Holiday return to the forefront after serving yellow card suspensions?
And what of Morgan Brian, the youngest member of the squad, who filled in admirably for Holiday against China?
Ellis decided to alter the formation, allowing both Brian and Holiday to start in support of Lloyd — the first time in this tournament the Americans have played with three central midfielders.
Wambach remained on the bench and Morgan took a solo role up front. Rapinoe and Tobin Heath claimed the flanks, accepting both defensive and attacking responsibility against a German side that transitions without mercy.
For all the fears about the German attack and concerns about the U.S. assault, the Americans created two high-quality chances within 15 minutes.
The first came on a corner kick in the seventh minute. Rapinoe served it. Johnston headed it, a six-yard angled bid on target. Angerer stuck out her left foot, alleviating the threat.
Eight minutes later, Heath threaded a wonderful through ball that cut through the heart of the German defense and met Morgan in stride for a clear run on goal. Angerer stepped out, reduced the angle and, when Morgan tried to slip a low shot past her, she used her left foot again.
The Germans, meantime, probed for space and channels but, like most U.S. opponents, encountered dead-ends. Johnston extinguished speculative runs on one end and displayed sweet footwork at the other. Becky Sauerbrunn was unfazed by German forays.
The match came to a frightening halt when, on a free kick, Alexandra Popp drove her head into Brian's, leaving both players in need of medical care. Popp bled profusely, while Brian was dazed for several minutes.
Flanked by support staff, Brian walked slowly to the sideline and said, "I'm okay," to Ellis, who slapped her hand. Bandaged, Popp also returned.
The U.S. pressure resumed. A mad scramble deep in the box led to Heath's shot being deflected for a corner kick. Late in the half, Morgan lifted the ball past Annike Krahn for a shot that curled off the mark.
Team USA fans cheer on their team prior to their semi-final FIFA Women's World Cup soccer game against Germany in Canada inMontreal on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
USA fans cheer their team as they play against Germany during first half Women's World Cup semi-final soccer in Montreal, Canada, on Tuesday, June 30, 2015. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP) MANDATORY CREDIT
Germany's Leonie Maier (4) and United States' Megan Rapinoe (15) vie for the ball during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Simone Laudehr (6) and United States' Morgan Brian (14) battle for the ball during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Melanie Leupolz (16) looks to pass as United States'Morgan Brian (14) defends during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Lena Goessling, right, and United States' Megan Rapinoe (15) vie for the ball during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Alexandra Popp (18) and United States' Carli Lloyd (10) compete for a head ball during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Alex Morgan (13) tries to place the ball past Germany keeper Nadine Angerer during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Tobin Heath, left, challenges Germany's Tabea Kemme during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Alexandra Popp heads the ball as United States' Megan Rapinoe (15) defends during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Tobin Heath, left, has a shot blocked by Germany's Tabea Kemme (22) during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Morgan Brian, left, and Germany's Simone Laudehr chase down the ball during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Becky Sauerbrunn, left, challenges Germany's Ania Mittag during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Simone Laudehr falls to the turf as United States' Meghan Klingenberg defends during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Julie Johnston (19) heads the ball toward the goal as Germany players defend during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
U.S. keeper Hope Solo watches as a Germany shot goes wide of the net during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Celia Sasic (13) reacts after missing a penalty kick against U.S. keeper Hope Solo during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany keeper Nadine Angerer reacts after a U.S. goal by Kelly O'Hara during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Kelly O'Hara (5) jumps into the arms of Carli Lloyd after O'Hara scored against Germany during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Kelly O'Hara (5) jumps into the arms of Carli Lloyd after O'Hara scored against Germany during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
The U.S. teams celebrates after defeating Germany 2-0 in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
The U.S. team celebrates after defeating Germany 2-0 in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
U.S. goalie Hope Solo and Meghan Klingenberg (22) celebrate after the team defeated Germany in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Meghan Klingenberg (22) reacts after Germany's Celia Sasic, cdenter, missed her penalty shot during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Carli Lloyd (10) scores a penalty shot against Germany keeper Nadine Angerer during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Celia Sasic takes penalty shot against the United States during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Julie Johnston (19) challenges Germany's Celia Sasic during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Lena Goessling looks away as the U.S. team celebrates a 2-0 victory in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany players sit on the bench after their 2-0 loss to the United States in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Carli Lloyd (10) breaks away from Germany's Melanie Leupolz, left, Lena Goessling and Annike Krahn, right, during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
The U.S. team salutes fans after defeating Germany 2-0 in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Alex Morgan (13) and goalkeeper Hope Solo (1) salute the crowd after the U.S. team defeated Germany 2-0 in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Meghan Klingenberg (22) challenges Germany's Simone Laudehr during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Graham Hughes/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany coach Silvia Neid and player Annike Krahn leave the pitch after the team's 2-0 loss to the United States in a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Carli Lloyd (10) reacts after scoring on a penalty kick against Germany as Meghan Klingenberg (22) follows during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Carli Lloyd( 10) scores on a penalty kick against Germany during the second half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. The United States won 2-0. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
Germany's Alexandra Popp, left, and United States' Morgan Brian lie on the pitch after they banged heads while going up for the ball during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
U.S. goalkeeper Hope Solo, right, tends to teammate Morgan Brian, who collided with Germany's Alexandra Popp during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
United States' Morgan Brian (14) lands on teammate Ali Kreiger (11) after crashing into Germany's Alexandra Popp, back, during the first half of a semifinal in the Women's World Cup soccer tournament, Tuesday, June 30, 2015, in Montreal, Canada. (Ryan Remiorz/The Canadian Press via AP)
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