USWNT Staves Off Japan in Seattle as World Cup Preparations Continue

The United States Women’s National Team secured a 2-1 victory over Japan in their second of three matches in a crucial friendly series at Lumen Field in Seattle. The win extended their unbeaten streak to 11 games, though the team was pushed hard by a resurgent Japanese side. The match took place on a rainy Tuesday night, with the U.S. looking to use the international contests as preparation for the 2023 Women’s World Cup qualifiers.

The U.S. came into the game having earned a narrow 2-1 win over Japan on Saturday in San Jose. That match marked the first goal conceded by the USWNT since October 2022, and the team was eager to prove that the result was not a fluke. Japan, meanwhile, showed they are a legitimate threat, making things difficult for the Americans throughout the 90 minutes.

The U.S. took the lead in the 22nd minute when Sophia Smith found the back of the net with a clinical finish after a well-worked move down the left flank. Smith, who has been in excellent form this season with Portland Thorns, now has four goals in the last five games against Japan, making her a key figure in the rivalry.

Japan responded just 10 minutes later, with Aya Miyama equalizing for the visitors with a low strike from the edge of the box. Miyama, a veteran of the Japanese squad, has now scored in three of her last five appearances against the U.S., showing her continued relevance on the international stage.

The U.S. retook the lead in the 68th minute through a header from Alyssa Naeher, who made the most of a set piece. The goal was a rare one for the goalkeeper, who has mostly been known for her defensive heroics rather than her scoring ability. Naeher now has two goals in her last 20 games with the national team.

Japan threw everything forward in the final 20 minutes, testing U.S. defenders and forcing several saves from Naeher. But the American backline, led by Becky Sauerbrunn and Crystal Dunn, held firm, preserving the 2-1 lead and earning the win.

The victory improves the U.S. record against Japan to 11-6-2 in all-time meetings, though the Japanese have won the last two matches in the 2022-2023 cycle. With the World Cup qualifiers approaching, the U.S. will look to use these games to fine-tune their tactics and evaluate younger players.

The teams will meet for a third and final time on Thursday in a match that will also be held in Seattle. The U.S. is using the three-game series to rotate their squad, with head coach Emma Hayes emphasizing the need to give more players minutes in the build-up to the qualifiers.