The U.S. women’s national team’s 30-game unbeaten streak came to an end in a driving rainstorm in Duisburg, Germany, as the reigning European Champions defeated the Americans 3-1 before over 7,000 fans. The USA threatened to run away with the match during the early going. Kristine Lilly put the U.S. on the board in the fourth minute, after Shannon MacMillan’s low corner kick skipped through the box to Tisha Venturini, who slid to touch the ball back to Lilly for an easy tap in. The U.S. had several chances to increase its lead, as the Germans played tentatively during the first 15 minutes. However, Germany started to gain rhythm and equalized in the 27th minute. A German pass slipped through Lilly’s legs and eluded Christie Pearce, allowing Tina Wunderlich to break free behind the American defense. She then hit a perfect cross to Sandra Smisek, whose diving header beat U.S. keeper Briana Scurry and went into the lower right corner. The score remained 1-1 at halftime, but Germany pulled ahead seven minutes after the break. A poor clearance from a German corner kick went straight to Pia Wunderlich at the top of the penalty box, and her shot through traffic went into the left corner as Scurry lost her footing while going for the ball. The U.S. controlled the possession for most of the remainder of the match, as Germany was content to sit on its lead. The American attacks were unable to break through an organized German defense led by sweeper Steffi Jones and stopper Doris Fitschen. A German counterattack in the 74th minute provided the final tally. A quick strike down the right flank put Carmen Schaefer one-on-one against U.S. sweeper Carla Overbeck. Schaefer squared the ball to Birgit Prinz, the offensive MVP of the 1997 European Championships, who buried a shot into the left corner from 12 yards out. “The better team won tonight,” said U.S. coach Tony DiCicco after the match. “We had some early chances that we didn’t put away and Germany made us pay. We have a proud team and they are very disappointed with the result. They have huge hearts, but perhaps we played too much with our hearts and not enough with our minds.” Former collegiate stars Michelle Demko (Maryland), Kristi Devert (Pepperdine) and Jill Stewart (Wisconsin) made their first international appearances when they came on in the second half. The two teams will meet again on Oct. 12 in Salzgitter. Oct. 9 in Duisburg Germany 3 USA 1. Goals: Smisek 27, P.Wunderlich 52, Prinz 74; Lilly 4. Germany — Rottenberg (Von Lanken, 80), Fitschen, Jones, Minnert, T.Wunderlich (Fuss, 46), Hoffman, Stegemann, P.Wunderlich, Voss (Prinz, 46), Meyer (Mueller, 80), Smisek (Schaefer, 59). USA — Scurry, Overbeck, Pearce (Stewart, 83), Staples (Connors, 60), MacMillan, Venturini (Cromwell, 71), Foudy, Lilly, Keller (Devert, 60), Milbrett (Demko, 77), Hamm. Yellow cards: USA — Staples 45, Venturini 68. Referee: Susann Lampe (Germany). Att.: 7,050.