USWNT 2, Japan 1: Rose Lavelle scores in 100th start, Sophia Wilson returns
The U. S. women’s national team passed its first test against Japan in San Jose, Calif.
on Saturday, topping the 2026 Asian Cup champions in a 2-1 victory for the first of three matches between the longtime rivals. Midfielder Rose Lavelle opened the scoring in the ninth minute, finding the ball off a cheeky volley from forward Trinity Rodman in the goalie’s box. Scoring in her 100th career start for the U.
S. , Lavelle only needed one touch to finesse the ball as it fell before her. The 30-year-old carried this momentum into the second half, contributing to the U.
S. ’s second goal when she found captain Lindsey Heaps wide open in the center of the box in the 48th minute. Japan responded in the second half with a goal from Riko Ueki in the 61st minute, taking advantage of a flat-footed U.
S. backline. Ueki nearly equalized in the 79th minute, but was unable to get around goalkeeper Clauda Dickey, who had a standout performance.
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