USWNT vs Japan

Photography by: Lorena Barros

Japan ended the U.S. Women’s National Team’s five-year reign at the SheBelieves Cup with a thrilling 2-1 win over the hosts at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium. It was a landmark victory for Japan, as they took their first title in the tournament’s history and handed head coach Emma Hayes her first loss at the helm of the USWNT since she took the reins last June.

The game got off to an electric start. Just two minutes in, Yuka Momiki put Japan ahead after a perfectly timed through ball from Yui Hasegawa caught the U.S. defense napping. A mix-up between goalkeeper Jane Campbell and defender Emily Sonnett left the door wide open for Momiki to calmly slot the ball into the net. The U.S. didn’t stay down for long, though. In the 14th minute, Ally Sentnor, the breakout star of the tournament, leveled the score after a silky through ball by Catarina Macario.

In the first half, Japan’s composure on the ball and tight, technical play gave the USWNT trouble throughout. Although the U.S. created opportunities through Sentnor and Macario, Japan’s defensive organization and midfield dominance kept them from fully capitalizing.

Coach Hayes, who has emphasized experimentation and development in her lineup selections this tournament, fielded a mix of veterans and newcomers, including 17-year-old Lily Yohannes and San Diego native Catarina Macario. They responded well, but couldn’t quite assert their dominance against a well-oiled Japan side.

Japan’s breakthrough moment of the game came early in the second half. Following a free kick from Hasegawa that forced a diving save from Campbell, substitute Toko Koga pounced on the rebound and slotted the ball home in the 50th minute. Despite second-half substitutions like Jaedyn Shaw and Alyssa Thompson, the U.S. couldn’t break down Japan’s defense.

This loss marked the end of the USWNT’s 18-match unbeaten streak under Hayes and their first defeat since February 2024. While the Americans finished second in the tournament with two wins and one loss, the result underscored the challenges ahead as the team builds toward the 2027 World Cup.

For Japan, the victory was historic. With a perfect three-win record, they demonstrated their growing strength as a national team, blending technical skill with tactical discipline to break down their opponents throughout the tournament.

The USWNT will regroup in April for a pair of high-profile friendlies against Brazil, providing another opportunity to integrate emerging talent. As we close our coverage of this year’s SheBelieves Cup, it was great to see other nations showcase their growing prominence at the international level.

Photography by: Lorena Barros