USA-JAPAN EXPRESS:
Feb. 26 in San Diego
USA 1 Japan 2. Goals: Sentnor 14; Momiki 2, Koga 50.
Att.: 17,188.

Emma Hayes suffered her first defeat as head coach of the U.S. women’s national team as Japan outworked and outthought the USA to a 2-1 victory in the finale of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup in San Diego. The win was Japan’s second-ever over the USA in 90 minutes, and the first on U.S. soil. The other victory for the Nadeshiko came  in 2012 at the Algarve Cup.

Japan took the lead with just over a minute played. Yuka Momiki latched on to a line-splitting pass from Yui Hasegawa and then dinked the ball into the net. The early goal woke up the hosts and not long passed before Cat Macario picked out Ally Sentnor to rocket home her second international goal. Just five minutes into the second half, Japan got the winner when defender Toko Koga reacted quickest to a rebound from a free-kick and slotted the ball home from a tight angle.

The 2025 SheBelieves Cup had been billed by Hayes as a time for experimentation and development. While a first loss to an elite international opponent is quite understandable, the USA’s inability to chase the match at 2-1 down was rather disappointing.

The stat sheet certainly flatters the Americans, with total shots 10-9 and shots on target 5-4 both going in their favor. The Japanese did edge possession 51% to 49%. In the end, it was a more one-sided affair than those numbers imply.

USA Player Ratings

(1=low; 5=middle; 10=high.)

GOALKEEPER

She was not the worst offender on the night and perhaps a tad unlucky, but Jane Campbell’s audition to be the new USA number one took a step in the wrong direction. Confusion in the box and a collision with Emily Sonnett left Campbell powerless to stop the first Japan goal. It was not entirely Campbell’s fault. 

On the second, Campbell made an exceptional athletic diving save on Yui Hasegawa’s free kick but arguably she failed to punch the ball far enough away out of the danger zone, which allowed Toko Koga to score on the follow up. Unfortunate overall maybe, but not good enough. 

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

4
Jane Campbell (Houston Dash) 10/0 (30) 

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DEFENDERS

A really tough match for the USA backline, not only in the chances they gave up but their inability to pass under pressure from the Japanese forwards. A recurring theme was ball watching. Japan’s short passes and frenetic movement often left the USA backline as bystanders in the match. 

The opening goal arose down Crystal Dunn’s left-hand side. The move started with a throw-in where Dunn, Sam Coffey and Tara McKeown all get caught ball watching and not tracking the opposition’s movement. 

Dunn made a good recovery tackle to stop a breakaway in the first half, and had a swift cross to the back post to create a chance for Lindsey Heaps. But the veteran seemed fatigued and unable to keep up with Japan. Dunn was removed at halftime. 

Emily Sonnett excels as a defender who is full of commitment and battle, but she couldn’t get in the fight. Her and Dunn need to take responsibility for not being able to communicate and organize this group. Sonnett being paired in the middle with the green McKeown wouldn’t have helped. 

In terms of on the ball effect, McKeown looked like the brightest of the back four. She was looking forward to find teammates and get the USA out of pressure. Made a couple of key blocks. Despite being subbed off in the 68th minute she led the USA in defensive actions (11). 

Like the rest of the backline, Emily Fox couldn’t handle the Japanese press. Later on in the game when Japan dropped deeper, there should have been more opportunities for Fox to make an impact higher up the pitch. Fox’s usual marauding self was pinned in. She gave up possession 14 times, the most of any player in the match.

Player (Club) caps/goals (age)

4
Crystal Dunn (Paris St. Germain, FRA) 157/25 (32)

3
Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC) 105/2 (31)

4
Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit) 3/0 (25)

4
Emily Fox (Arsenal, ENG) 65/1 (26)

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MIDFIELDERS

Having clicked as a trio a week ago in Houston, Texas, Hayes’ starting midfield group stuttered against a much more experienced and well-drilled opponent in Japan.