Portland, OR (My Sportsbook) - Germany has the defending champion U.S. side on the ropes in a World Cup semifinal match at PGE Park on Sunday, as they lead 1-0 at the half.

Kerstin Garefrekes scored her fourth goal of the World Cup in the 15th minute as the U.S. trails for the first time in the tournament.

Germany's Renate Lingor fired a corner kick into the area and Garefrekes was there to head it off the crossbar, but past U.S. 'keeper Briana Scurry for the goal.

The victorious will move on to the final to face the winner of the Sweden/Canada match, which will be played later Sunday.

Germany leads the match despite managing just two shots in the first half.

Meanwhile, the U.S. played much of the half in the German end only to come up empty-handed each time.

The Americans had their best chance to bring the match level in the 32nd minute. Abby Wambach played a great pass to Mia Hamm who charged into the area and collided with Germany 'keeper Silke Rottenberg. The ball squirted lose, but Kristine Lilly's attempt was deflected off a Germany defender.

Rottenberg came up huge again for Germany in the 42nd minute. Wambach came storming down the right side of the box and fired a shot on net, but the veteran netminder was there for another diving save.

Lilly nearly equalized the match in the 26th minute for the U.S. with a left- footed strike from 20-yards out, but Rottenberg fully extended herself for the diving save.

Nerves seemed apparent early on as only one shot was fired in the first 14 minutes between both teams.

Germany entered the contest with a tournament-high 20 goals -- a staggering five goals per game average for the tournament. Meanwhile, the U.S. had allowed a World Cup-best one goal through four matches.

MATCH NOTES: The U.S. met Germany in the 1999 World Cup quarterfinals with the Americans coming from behind twice for a 3-2 win...Germany is in the World Cup semifinals for the first time since 1995.