Lavelle and Heaps score to give USWNT a 2-1 win over Japan
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Rose Lavelle had a goal and an assist and the United States won the first of three matches against Japan 2-1 on Saturday. Lindsey Heaps also scored for the U.
S. , which has won 10 straight matches for the first time since 2023. Riko Ueki scored for Japan.
It was the first goal the United States had conceded since a 3-1 victory over Portugal on Oct. 26, a span of 866 minutes. Lavelle scored in the ninth minute to give the United States the early lead.
The goal came off a free kick from Sam Coffey that was sent to Lavelle from Trinity Rodman. It was Lavelle’s 28th international goal and came on her 100th career start. Heaps scored off a feed from Lavelle less than three minutes into the second half.
It was Heaps’ 40th goal for the United States. Ueki closed the gap for Japan on a header in the 61st. The next game between the two teams is Tuesday in Seattle before the finale in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday.