Tonight was the rubber match in what has been a very entertaining set of friendlies — and possible FIFA World Cup preview — against Japan. United States took the first match in a 2-1 win, then Japan followed it up with a very technical and professional 1-0 win in the second meeting, and tonight the two sides were hoping to come away with the win for small bragging rights as series winners. While it’s the middle of April, it was a cold, snowy day in Colorado as the two teams took to a pitch that was cleared,
but was flanked by banks of snow. It was time to see if Japan could do it on a cold snowy night in Commerce City.
After a starting XI that saw a heavy dose of youngsters in the last meeting, you could see how much USWNT wanted to win this one as Emma Hayes put out one of the strongest lineups possible to try and finish the series on a high note. The first 25 minutes of the match saw both teams just trying to get used to the pitch conditions. While it was cleared of standing snow, it was still very slick, and very hard as it remained pretty frozen. It was USWNT that had the best chance early on a point-blank shot from Sophia Wilson that was met with an incredible save, only to have Naomi Girma head the ball over the goal on the follow-up.
The final 25 minutes of the half saw USWNT deploy a press that Japan had very hard time dealing with. Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman and Rose Lavelle all were finding space as they began to cut up the opposing defense and start to really apply the pressure. The first half ended scoreless, but the momentum was definitely swinging the way of United States. That momentum continued into the second half where the United States picked up where they left off before break, immediately going at the Japanese defense. They earned a corner and after so many went without results in the first half, this time, they found gold. Rose Lavelle sent the corner far post where Kennedy Wesley was there to head it back towards goal where Naomi Girma was waiting and this time her effort didn’t go over the crossbar, it went over the line and into the back of the net for the lead early in the second half.
It wasn’t long before the United States doubled their lead. Kennedy Wesley stepped up to intercept a pass in the middle of the pitch, and immediately got it out to Heaps who knocked it forward to Rodman who then tapped it ahead to Rose Lavelle who got on the ball in stride and cooly slotted it past the keeper for the second goal of the night. Just 10 minutes into the second half USWNT already had a two goal lead and were firmly in control of the match.
After playing a key role with some great passing and defensive work on the first two goals, Kennedy Wesley decided to get on the scoresheet herself. Another corner, this one taken by Jaedyn Shaw, went far post once again where Wesley was there to knock it past the keeper with a deft touch that was just enough to find the back of the net. The score was the third of the night for USWNT but it was the first-ever international goal for Kennedy Wesley, who was stamping her mark all over this match.
Emma Hayes wanted her side to make a statement and they very much did in this match. Even with a three goal lead, they never took their foot off the gas. They continued to press, look for more goals, and wanted to really drive the sword through Japan as time dwindled down in this one. When the final whistle blew, the three goals were more than enough for the win in Colorado. Having won two of three, USWNT also took the series for this set of friendlies against a team they will almost undoubtedly see again in Brazil come 2027. For now, the team can enjoy the statement win to close out the window, and continue to focus on the road ahead as they continue to grow as a squad.
