For the United States Women’s National Team, Saturday’s international friendly against Japan at PayPal Park in San Jose was about assessing the team’s preparation as the lead-up to next year’s Women’s World Cup starts in earnest.
Ranked fifth in the world and fresh off its AFC Women’s Asian Cup title, Japan proved exactly the test the United States needed. Thanks to goals from Rose Lavelle and Lindsay Heaps, the USA passed its first exam, outlasting Japan with a 2-1 victory.
“It’s the test we want, and I’m so happy to have it, because they’re an unbelievable team,” said United States Women’s National Team head coach Emma Hayes after the game.
To counter Japan’s quality, Hayes trotted out an experienced team, with an average of 56.3 caps, for the first of three games the teams will play over the next week.
“We don’t have a lot of [international] windows left [before next year’s Women’s World Cup], so we need to get some of these players playing back together again,” explained Hayes.
The USA got a dream start in the 9th minute, converting a free-kick opportunity. Sam Coffee lofted a ball to the far post to Trinity Rodman, who popped the ball back to the middle of the penalty box to an onrushing Rose Lavelle. Her shot bounced off Japan defender Hana Takahashi and landed just inside the corner of the net for the 1-0 lead.
“I think when you play top teams, you need really calm heads. And Rose has that in abundance,” said Hayes. “It’s why she’s one of the best players in the world.”
In the 21st minute, the United States had another excellent opportunity to score, but Alyssa Thompson was unable to get her shot on target after a cross from Sophia Wilson.
For the remainder of the first half, Japan, known for its possession-based attack, delivered a handful of dangerous shots on target, while USA keeper Claudia Dickey impressed with her shot-stopping.
Three minutes into the second half, the USA took a commanding lead. Gisele Thompson turned over Japan’s Hana Takahashi, and the ball bounced to her sister Alyssa Thompson, who passed to Lavelle in the box. Lavelle’s cross was intercepted by a Japanese defender, but bounced around the box until it returned to the feet of Lavelle. She smartly passed to the onrushing Lindsay Heaps, who placed her shot past Japan keeper Ayaka Yamashita for the 2-0 lead.
It looked like the United States might cruise to a convincing victory from there, but Japan turned up the pressure and was rewarded in the 60th minute when a cross from Maika Hamano was cleared by the USA but only as far as Honoka Hayashi at the top of the penalty box. She headed the ball to teammate Riko Ueki, who flicked the ball past Dickey and into the goal.
Ueki had a golden chance to tie the game in the 79th minute, but her shot was smothered by the perfectly positioned Dickey.
The United States was able to run out the clock from there and claim victory in the first of the team’s three-game series.
After the game, Hayes was happy with the result. “I think 12 months ago, we might have drawn this game,” she noted. “I think the progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal.”
Next up, the teams will fly up the coast to face off in Seattle on Tuesday, before continuing on to Denver for their final matchup next Friday. In Seattle, Hayes noted that she will field a less-experienced lineup to test how the newest USWNT players have improved in the last year.
“It’s not going to be the first time they’ve faced Japan, but I want to see the progress since the last time,” said Hayes. “So I’m very excited for that one.”
USWNT NOTES
– Sophia Wilson played her first game for the USA since Oct. 27, 2024. She had been on maternity leave, giving birth to her daughter last August.
“I’m proud of [Wilson] to come into that and it takes a bit of time to find that rhythm,” said Hayes. “And I think she gave it everything she could.”
– The match was Rose Lavelle’s 100th game for the USWNT and she responded with a goal and an assist. “I thought she grew into the game in the second half,” said Hayes. “I think it took her a while, but I thought she really grew into the game.”
– Bay FC star midfielder Claire Hutton subbed into the game in the 85th minute for Lindsay Heaps. Asked after the game if she was brought in to make an appearance in front of her hometown fans, Hayes noted it was purely a tactical decision.
“I can’t pick teams based on the cities we’re in. I’m a professional, and the players have to accept that we’re preparing to qualify for a World Cup,” explained Hayes. “So that is always of the highest order. Of course, if I can get players from the bench, it depends on the state of the game. Claire came into the game because it required something at that moment in time that I felt she could bring.”