Hayes to Make Changes to Starting XI as USWNT Tests Depth Against Japan in Seattle
The U. S. Women’s National Team bested Japan, 2-1, on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
behind goals from the two most tenured players on the starting lineup. Midfielder Rose Lavelle opened the scoring ni...
Hayes to Make Changes to Starting XI as USWNT Tests Depth Against Japan in Seattle The U. S. Women’s National Team bested Japan, 2-1 , on Saturday in San Jose, Calif.
behind goals from the two most tenured players on the starting lineup. Midfielder Rose Lavelle opened the scoring nine minutes into her 100th start with the team before assisting Lindsey Heaps on the game-winner, which was the captain’s 40th international goal. Despite conceding its first goal of the year and Japan having the edge in total shots 12-9, the USWNT held over 60% of possession and looked like the stronger team for most of the match.
The Americans flipped the script from the last time the two sides met in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final where Japan took the 2-1 victory to clinch the tournament title. “Maybe a year ago, we don’t win [Saturday’s] game,” Heaps said post-match. “We closed it out well.