The USWNT fell for the first time in 18 matches in the Hayes era as Japan took their first SheBelieves Cup – and it surely wasn't a fluke
Let this result serve as a reminder: this stuff isn't easy. The U.S. women's national team has largely made it look so throughout the last year. They ran away to an Olympic gold medal last summer and have swatted away all in their path since. That was until Wednesday night.
Japan wouldn't simply be wiped away. In fact, it was Japan that did the swatting. Needing only a draw to lift the SheBelieves Cup, Japan did one better, winning 2-1 on Wednesday night in San Diego to become just the fourth different country in the tournament's 10-year history to earn silverware.
The USWNT had won each of the last five, and seven of the first nine, but from the opening whistle, it was clear that this was Japan's night and – more importantly, Japan's tournament.
They scored just minutes into the match, with Yuka Momiki taking advantage of some sloppy USWNT defending. The USWNT responded well, equalizing on a fantastic Ally Sentnor goal – her second in as many starts in her national team career.
They needed just that little bit more, though. They needed to take the lead, to secure the win. It never happened. Japan found the goal they needed, with Toko Koga scoring just five minutes into the second half to effectively put the game to bed. The USWNT pushed and pushed but never really broke Japan down. They were the better team on the night and, ultimately, the better team over this three-game tournament, scoring 10 goals in total.
The result will feel like a measure of revenge for first-time winners Japan, which lost 1-0 to the U.S. in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympics as Hayes led the team to the gold medal in Paris.
Success isn't a birthright and it certainly doesn't come easily. Without several key starters – including Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson and Naomi Girma – the USWNT wasn't able to take down one of the game's elite in the end. They managed without those stars in wins over Colombia and Australia, but in a match against a talented Japan squad? Not enough.
Prior to the loss to Japan, Hayes had won 15 and drawn two of the first 17 matches she coached since her tenure as U.S. manager started in June of 2024. It happens and, at this point in the cycle, it's OK. Painful, but OK. This was a good lesson, one that may actually pay off in a few years time.
“Our goals are beyond just the SheBelieves,” a disappointed Hayes told TNT after the match. “I’m not going to say I like losing, I don’t, but there’s no disgrace being beaten by a team that between them have 800 caps … let’s have perspective. It’s important to be calm in this moment."
This USWNT group has grown leaps and bounds over the last year. The program is in a far better place now than it was just 12 months ago. This team, though, is still a work in progress – especially as the youth continues to work into the lineup – and this SheBelieves Cup finale made that clear enough.
GOAL rates the USWNT's players from SnapDragon Stadium.
Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defense
Jane Campbell (5/10):
Was sloppy early, which essentially led to the immediate goal. Made a good initial save on Japan's second, but her defense left her out to dry. Either way, this wasn't the game she needed at all.
Crystal Dunn (4/10):
Just didn't have it. Seemed a step off the pace and was uncharacteristically sloppy with the ball. Perhaps this was her lack of club minutes showing.
Tara McKeown (5/10):
Again, much like last time she played, was sloppy at the start but settled into the game. Has to sort out these rocky starts but it is good to see her build confidence as she goes.
Emily Sonnett (5/10):
Was all over the place on the first goal, and she seemingly took that personally in a good way. Made plays all over the field to help the U.S. make the initial comeback.
Emily Fox (5/10):
A weird one from her. Normally so reliable, Fox struggled a bit. Japan's talented attack gave her trouble throughout, which doesn't happen often to the USWNT fullback.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesMidfield
Sam Coffey (5/10):
Wasn't quite as involved or active as we've come to expect. As a result, the USWNT never really had a hold of that midfield battle.
Lily Yohannes (7/10):
Had a few moments that really made you go "wow." There were times when she hit passes that her teammates weren't ready for, largely because few players can hit those passes. That'll change going forward, but her role probably shouldn't.
Lindsey Heaps (6/10):
Ran extremely hard and did all of the little things a leader needs to do. Unfortunately, none really ever paid off as Heaps' pressing didn't amount to much.
Getty Images SportAttack
Yazmeen Ryan (6/10):
Had a few really good moments and a few not-so-good ones. Passed the ball well, but also dribbled into trouble a few times. Overall, she made things happen, which is all you can ask for.
Catarina Macario (7/10):
Incredible work to assist Sentnor on her goal as she both held the ball up and played an incisive pass to open up the defense. Another bright performance from a player who is getting back to her best after all this time.
Ally Sentnor (8/10):
What a run and what a finish. Sentnor was incredible in this tournament and, thanks to her goal on Wednesday, this match was no different.
AFPSubs & Manager
Jenna Nighswonger (5/10):
Rightfully replaced Dunn, but fell victim to some of the same sloppy moments that plagued her former Gotham teammate.
Jaedyn Shaw (6/10):
Was put in a tough spot replacing Sentnor, who was cooking before being taken out at halftime. Didn't reach Sentnor's highs as she struggled to really find the game out wide.
Korbin Albert (5/10):
Another sub that didn't really work out. Was asked to replace Yohannes, but was nowhere near as calm on the ball as the Ajax star was.
Alyssa Thompson (7/10):
Probably the best of the substitute bunch. Provided life, energy and pace to an attack that really needed it. Unfortunately, it didn't really lead to much.
Lynn Biyendolo (5/10):
Not really her fault, but just didn't really see enough of the ball to make anything happen.
Tierna Davidson (7/10):
Almost scored an absolute banger to equalize with a few minutes left, which would have been a wild moment, for sure.
Emma Hayes (5/10):
Her first loss as a USWNT boss and, in some ways, one of her stranger games since taking over. Substitutes were a little questionable but, to be fair, both goals were the results of errors, not tactics.
