As this summer's Women's World Cup increasingly comes into focus, the U.S. women's national team gritted their teeth through a tough test, topping Japan 1-0 to secure victory in their second match of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup.
It wasn't always pretty, as the Japan press caused issues throughout the U.S. lineup, but they held firm at the back, which meant Mallory Swanson's goal just before halftime proved the difference.
Swanson's goal marks the fifth straight game in which she has found the back of the net, following her brace on Thursday against Canada in a 2-0 victory. At the back, the United States have now gone four straight matches with a clean sheet, yet to concede since a 2-1 victory over Germany in November. Since a friendly defeat to Spain in mid-October, the U.S. have picked up six wins in six on a 16-2 combined goal differential.
Fill-in goalkeeper Casey Murphy was critical to that achievement today, making two saves late in the match to stymie Japan and their search for an equalizer.
The Sporting News followed the USA vs Japan match live, providing commentary and highlights as they happened.
MORE: SheBelieves Cup 2023 fixtures, results and highlights
USA vs Japan final score
| 1H | 2H | Final | |
| USA | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| Japan | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Goals:
45th min — USA — Mallory Swanson
Confirmed lineups:
USA (4-3-3, right to left): 18. Murphy (GK) — 8. Huerta (Sonnett, 46'), 3. Cook, 12. Girma, 23. Fox — 2. Sanchez (Sullivan, 64'), 22. K. Mewis, 10. Horan (Kornieck, 86') — 6. L. Williams (Rodman, 64'), 13. Morgan (Hatch, 71'), 9. Swanson (Rapinoe, 70').
Japan (5-4-1, right to left): 1. Yamashita (GK) — 2. Shimizu, 5. Miyake (Miyazawa, 74'), 4. Kumagai, 3. Minami, 15. Sugita (Endo, 67') — 20. Fujino, 14. Hasegawa, 8. Nagano, 10. Iwabuchi (Takarada, 74') — 9. Ueki (Hamano, 67').
USWNT vs Japan post-match analysis
Mallory Swanson is blossoming into a truly great player
For 24-year-old Mallory Swanson (formerly Mallory Pugh for those who may not recognize her new married name), it all starts with her speed, but she is so much more than that.
After a journey through the doldrums of life as a young player at the top-ranked team in the world, Swanson has come out the other side as one of the most in-form players in the world. Eventually, if she can keep up this kind of play longer-term, her form will graduate to greatness and she will be known as one of the top performers on the planet.
The signs are there. Swanson can beat opponents on the dribble, send in a cross, cut inside, create space for herself, create space for teammates, pick out a quality first touch, and so much more. Her toolbox is growing by the day, and she could be a player to watch in Australia and New Zealand this summer.
MORE: Mallory Swanson, formerly Pugh, is growing into an undroppable player for USWNT
Victories don't always have to be pretty or dominant
The USWNT will want to look their best in preparation for the 2023 Women's World Cup this summer, but the group will know that winning is the most important thing then, so it should be the most important thing now too.
Today's match is a prime example. Japan did extremely well to make life difficult for the U.S. in large stretches of this match but were just unable to really produce a final ball to open up the American back line until the final move of the game when Casey Murphy made a big save.
The U.S. goalscorer Mallory Swanson, appropriately, told the TNT postgame crew on the field after the game that today "wasn't the best performance we've had" which is fair, but it's also reductive, as the U.S. did extremely well to match Japan's energy and precision in moments where they could have been carved open by good flow on the ball. The U.S. were much slower to build, slower to react, and slower in transition than they were against Canada, but it didn't ultimately matter. For all the problems that Japan's press caused the USWNT, it speaks volumes that they weren't opened up at the back more often.
Alex Morgan does all the little things a great striker does
Even when Alex Morgan doesn't get chances in front of goal, she's consistently involved in good attacking moves and does the less flashy jobs a great striker will know are important.
Take today, for example, where she displayed her exceptional hold-up play on the Mallory Swanson goal. Miles from the opponent's goal, all the way in the center circle, she received an outlet ball from Kristie Mewis and chested it down, turning and releasing Swanson with an inch-perfect pass.
It was a wonderful display of skill and grit from a player who has meant so much to the United States in so many ways, and is far more than just the goals she's scored.
USWNT vs Japan live updates, highlights, commentary
FULLTIME: USA 1-0 Japan
It was a bit nervy in the final moments, but the United States secure a 1-0 victory on another goal from Mallory Swanson.
Japan did well to make the United States work hard for every touch of the ball, and much of the match felt in the balance, but it never really felt truly in doubt until Casey Murphy's last save at the death. The U.S. did well amidst a host of changes to push back and make it tough for Japan to secure big chances on the counter-attack.
Some good, some bad for the U.S. today's match, which was exactly the test that Vlatko Andonovski will have hoped for, and there's plenty for the USWNT coaching staff to break down ahead of decisions that need to be made for this summer's World Cup roster.
USA vs. Japan: Second Half
90+3 min: Chance, Japan! Well, maybe not as comfortable for the U.S. as we thought! Casey Murphy comes up HUGE here to stop the substitute June Endo from a tight angle! Her last save was quite elementary as the shot was right at her, but this one was high quality! Huge moment in the match with just over a minute remaining in stoppage time!
90th min: Japan pushing for an equalizer as the game comes to a close. The United States happy to absorb the pressure so far. Four minutes of added time to go.
Apparently Lindsey Horan accidentally came off the field with the captain's armband and never gave it to anyone on the field, which is quite humorous.
83rd min: Chance, USA! The United States, looking to relieve a long spell of Japan pressure, ping one ahead from Kristie Mewis for Trinity Rodman who uses her speed to get on the ball and work a shot. From a tight angle she rips it on net where it stings the palms of Ayaka Yamashita. The Japan goalkeeper can't quite hold on, instead pinging it down off the ground, and Ashley Hatch very nearly steals one streaking in, but Yamashita eventually hangs on.
Taylor Kornieck comes in and replaces Lindsey Horan, with some confusion as the referee shows one of them a yellow card for the substitution taking too long. Looks like Kornieck is the recipient for entering the pitch too soon? It's all a bit silly, and the crowd lets the referee hear about it.
80th min: Chance, Japan! Good save Casey Murphy! A cross from the left gets to Hasegawa on the doorstep, and she redirects it on frame, but it's not the contact she wanted and ends up centrally. Murphy is there to parry the effort, and while she didn't have to move far with the shot right at her face, it's a good reflex stop.
79th min: Chance, Japan! The visitors work very hard to get a good look on the U.S. goal, and every time the U.S. defense got a tackle in or seemed to close off the passing lane, it came back at them. Finally, Fuka Nagano let it fly from the top-right edge of the penalty area, and justtttt missed high! That was extremely close! Casey Murphy had no chance if that dipped just under the bar.
Again it comes back at them, and Aoba Fujino has a good look from a tight angle and it's blocked by the thigh of Naomi Girma behind for a corner.
74th min: The match has been disrupted heavily by all the substitutes, and Japan makes two more, with Hinata Miyazawa and Saori Takarada entering for Shiori Miyake and Mana Iwabuchi. Megan Rapinoe lets fly from a long way out and misses well high.
69th min: Two more changes for the U.S. with Megan Rapinoe and Ashley Hatch coming into the match, replacing Alex Morgan and Mallory Swanson. Neither player coming on appeared against Canada. Swanson gets a huge applause from the Nashville crowd, who also gives Rapinoe a huge ovation.
Japan also makes a pair of swaps, with Jun Endo and Maika Hamano coming on. Hamano, who just signed for Chelsea in January and was sent out on loan to Swedish side Hammarby, won the Golden Ball at the U-20 Women's World Cup last year.
65th min: Lynn Williams is nearly released by Lindsey Horan, but just can't reach it for a shot. She does get a foot to the ball as she slides to stretch, but touches it across the face of goal where nobody is there to meet it.
A few changes will break up play. Williams completes her hour of play, still en route to full match fitness from a serious hamstring injury, replaced by Trinity Rodman. Andi Sullivan also comes on in place of Ashley Sanchez, slotting into the No. 6 role, moving both Kristie Mewis and Lindsey Horan forward.
63rd min: Lindsey Horan starts the break and she feeds Alex Morgan out wide right in a creative position. She whips in a cross that evades Lynn Williams and Mallory Swanson, but bobbles to the feet of Horan trailing the play. She can't get a shot off before it's detached from her feet by multiple defenders. Good build forward, and better from the U.S. who seemed to be in a lower gear since the restart.
60th min: Chance, Japan! Great move forward by the visitors, as Aoba Fujino gets in a ton of space down the right and sends a great ball into the six-yard box, where Hina Sugita is making the run, but her near-post flicked header doesn't get the right contact and bobbles well wide across the face of goal.
Fujino has been the brightest Japan forward in this match by far, doing it all in the attacking third.
51st min: Chance, Japan! The press forces Lindsey Horan to pass to nobody in particular, which results in a bad turnover in her own half. Japan work the ball right to Aoba Fujino who lets it fly, seeking the inside of the far post. She just misses wide left. Close for the visitors!
50th min: Looks like the USWNT has decided to counter Japan's press with one of their own. It's not as scattered and high-energy as the visitors utilized, but it's a notable change for this second half. It's resulted in a bit more of the ball for the hosts in good areas.
Kickoff: The United States has a lot to improve on as the second half begins, and this match is far from over. It will be interesting to see how Vlatko Andonovski decides to handle th very effective Japan press as the match moves forward.
He makes one change at the break, as Emily Sonnett comes on for Sofia Huerta, who had a tough 45 minutes, consistently targeted by the Japan down the U.S. right. Also, a note on the deflated balls in today's and Thursday's match, apparently it was an issue with the pressure gauge and not the ball itself
HALFTIME: USA 1-0 Japan
Much of that first half felt a little nervy for the United States. Japan controlled the pace of play and mucked up the match in a really difficult way. The U.S. was sloppy for a lot of it, and struggled to hold the ball for long stretches of play. The numbers show 58 percent possession for the hosts, but it felt like Japan had a lot more of the attacking third play.
Yet Mallory Swanson is inevitable. Just one moment was required to break the deadlock, one outlet ball. Give Alex Morgan lots of credit, as she gave that counter the perfect hold-up play it needed. The feeling going into halftime is much different holding a lead than with the game scoreless and very much in the balance.
Still, there's plenty for Vlatko Andonovski to sort out at the break, because it on the current run of play, it doesn't feel likely that Japan will fail to find the back of the net.
USWNT vs Japan: First half
45th min: GOAL! USA! Mallory Swanson has gone from red-hot to white-hot! All it takes is one outlet ball, into the chest of Alex Morgan right in the heart of the center circle with her back to goal. She then releases Swanson at full speed, and she roasts the last player back, Shiori Miyake, to get clear on goal. It's an easy finish for Swanson in blistering form, as just like Marcus Rashford did earlier today on the break for Manchester United, there's no way a player on that kind of streak is going to miss one-on-one against the goalkeeper.
42nd min: Lindsey Horan receives treatment after she took a wayward palm to the face and has a nosebleed. She comes back on the field after a bit, no worse for the wear. No intent at all in that.
39th min: Aoba Fujino tries to dribble laterally across the top of the penalty area, is sandwiched by Sofia Huerta and Naomi Girma, and goes to ground, but the referee waves play on. It's a weird one on replay, as there wasn't really a foul by either individual defender, but put together it does kind of seem dicey. Fujino clearly thought she was fouled and put off by the official's decision.
36th min: Sums up the game well that the U.S. took over a half-hour to earn their first corner. Mallory Swanson takes, and it comes to the near post, dropping awkwardly for a moment, but eventually cleared.
27th min: Japan continues to put the U.S. under heavy pressure, and the hosts are relegated to playing on the counter for long stretches. They work another break, but a Mallory Swanson cross is way over everyone's heads. Moments later Alex Morgan tries an awkward header on a vertical ball from head on, but her effort with her back to goal, ducking down to get her head to it, is weak and scooped up by the goalkeeper.
23rd min: Chance, USA! What a counter-attack by the United States! It wasn't perfect, but the forwards adjusted well to some poor touches to turn Japanese defenders around, and Alex Morgan gets a shot off that's saved well by Ayaka Yamashita. The flag rightly goes up for offside at the end of the move, so it wouldn't have counted anyways.
19th min: Chance, Japan! Oh it's a horrible giveaway from Sophia Huerta, who tried to send it laterally in the middle of her own half and had it picked off, and it nearly results in a goal for Japan. Mana Iwabuchi got in a great position inside the penalty area and cut inside to find space, but her shot is blocked by Alana Cook. Can't be making mistakes like that against a top-15 side!
15th min: Chance, USA! Give Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita credit, she just handled a very awkward situation well! A cross from Lynn Williams deep on the right flank didn't find its mark, but instead puts Yamashita under a ton of pressure. The netminder gets a finger tip to it, tipping the ball off the crossbar and out! It was ALMOST an incredible (and likely very accidental) goal for the United States!
9th min: The hosts are starting to build into a possessional advantage now, holding much of the ball in the attacking half. The ball has to be swapped out after going flat, which happened multiple times in the Thursday match against Canada as well. It happens a second time moments later.
5th min: The first sign of life for the United States comes via who else but Mallory Swanson, who gets into a good position down the right edge of the penalty area and sends a cross in for Alex Morgan. It's just ahead of the U.S. striker and goes out of play. First attacking move for the U.S. comes five minutes in, a stark contrast from the quick start against Canada when they poured on the pressure.
4th min: This Japan pressure is causing lots of problems for the United States. Lindsey Horan does well to hold off heavy pressure from Aoba Fujino, but then sails a lateral pass out of play. Japan are possessing the ball in large amounts. A long ball nearly finds the head of Riko Ueki free on goal, but it sails inches over her head, and then the offside flag goes up.
2nd min: There's real energy to the start of this match. The U.S. look to build from the back, and Japan are pressing extremely high, flying into tackles and looking to generate turnovers in dangerous positions. Emily Fox makes a critical interception, but the U.S. still can't get out of its own half.
Kickoff: This match in Nashville is under way! The United States women have won four straight SheBelieves Cup titles, and are in pole position to secure another.
USWNT vs Japan: Pre-match commentary, team news, analysis, stats, and more
5 mins to kickoff: Interesting comments by Vlatko Andonovski on TNT in the pregame broadcast, saying that Japan is a "more precise" opponent, giving the U.S. a new challenge. He didn't necessarily specify who they are more precise than, but the assumption there is Canada, who admittedly were sloppy in defeat on Thursday, while Japan are "technically clean" says Julie Foudy on the TNT pregame desk. It'll be interesting to watch as the match plays out.
11 mins to kickoff: Today's venue is GEODIS Park in Nashville, one of the newest soccer-specific stadiums in the United States. The new home of Nashville SC has received star reviews, and should provide a great atmosphere for the match today!
22 mins to kickoff: Who's the hottest player on the field today? That'd be Mallory Swanson, whose two goals against Canada give her six goals in her last four international caps, dating back to the 2-1 win over Germany in November.
Mike DeCourcy of The Sporting News wrote on Thursday about how Swanson, formerly Mallory Pugh, is becoming more and more critical to the success of this U.S. team.
40 mins to kickoff: Amidst all the squad rotation, superstar Alex Morgan retains her place and earns her 203rd international cap today. In her entire international career, she's never scored more goals against any other nation than Japan, who she's netted against 14 times in 12 career matches.
Morgan also needs just one goal to become the all-time USWNT leading goalscorer as a mother, currently on 13 goals since the birth of her daughter Charlie last May, which has her level atop that list.
60 mins to kickoff: Lineups are in, and there's some serious rotation from Vlatko Andonovski and the United States against the weakest team in the SheBelieves Cup field (by FIFA ranking). Casey Murphy takes over in goal, given a chance to spell Alyssa Naeher, while Sofia Huerta, Naomi Girma, Lynn Williams, and Kristie Mewis all enter the starting lineup. Lindsey Horan wears the captain's armband. Rose Lavelle still isn't fit to start, which is a concern.
80 mins to kickoff: One intriguing storyline from this SheBelieves Cup that hasn't gotten a ton of attention is the full-back deployment for Vlatko Andonovski. Crystal Dunn's return from her pregnancy has had a ripple effect on a few individuals, starting with herself. Dunn played 45 minutes against Canada at left-back, as she works her way back to full match fitness, but she isn't keen on playing that position long-term.
“I step into [national team] camp, and I feel like I lose a part of myself,” Dunn said in an interview with GQ Magazine. “I no longer get to be Crystal who scores goals, assists, is this attacking player. I step into an environment where I have to be world-class in a position that I don’t think is my best position.”
That's a strong statement, and she later called switching positions between club and country a "massive burden." Her use at left-back has also forced Emily Fox to move from her natural position to the opposite flank. The 24-year-old is not one of the more flashy USWNT players, but has been a steady and reliable presence in her 25 international caps and profiles as an ever-present mainstay in the team for years to come. Andonovski has a big decision to make regarding the future of the full-back positions, and navigating that will be a defining part of the long-term health of this national team program.
95 mins to kickoff: Today's opponent, Japan, still brings back painful memories dating back to the 2011 Women's World Cup final, where the U.S. lost to Japan in a penalty shootout. Since that, the U.S. have more than vindicated those demons, winning the World Cup title twice, and in a more immediately relevant aspect, going 11 matches unbeaten against Japan. On the flip side, Japan have slipped from that mantle since their only World Cup championship.
107 mins to kickoff: The SheBelieves Cup, established in 2015, is a tournament meant to highlight the achievements of women on and off the field. "Inspired by the U.S. Women’s National Team, SheBelieves is a movement to encourage young women and girls to reach their dreams, athletic or otherwise," reads the competition's official website.
Ahead of the 2023 Women's World Cup, where the USWNT are aiming for an unprecedented three-peat, the idea of "belief" has taken center stage, both this winter and moving forward. Props to TNT for an exceptional bit of production around the team's focus on belief!
120 mins to kickoff: The USWNT showed their depth against Canada, after questions that the team lacked it. The team performed at a high level against Canada, especially considering the absence of Rose Lavelle, while Naomi Girma missed out and was replaced brilliantly by veteran Becky Sauerbrunn.
The biggest question now will be whether those two can return from their injuries picked up in training during the run-up to the Canada match. They both trained yesterday, but manager Vlatko Andonovski was clear that he would play it safe with both players.
USWNT vs Japan lineups
Both Rose Lavelle and Naomi Girma missed out on the opener against Canada with slight injuries picked up in training, and Vlatko Andonovski claimed that if there's "any risk of injury" they would be held out. That comes to fruition partly, as Girma makes the lineup but Lavelle remains sidelined.
There's lots of rotation today for Andonovski against Japan. Mallory Swanson and Trinity Rodman were both exceptional against Canada, but Rodman is sent to the bench in favor of Lynn Williams, with Sophia Smith out of the competition due to injury.
Sophie Huerta enters the fray at full-back, with Crystal Dunn sent to the bench as she works slowly back to match fitness. Kristie Mewis is into midfield, while Andi Sullivan drops out.
USA confirmed starting lineup (4-3-3): Murphy (GK) — Huerta, Cook, Girma, Fox — Sanchez, Mewis, Horan — L. Williams, Morgan, Swanson.
USA subs (12): Naeher (GK), Franch (GK), Sauerbrunn, Sonnett, Dunn, Sullivan, Kornieck, Lavelle, Purce, Rapinoe, Rodman, Hatch.
Japan have struggled to score of late against top international sides, shut out in three straight matches against Brazil, Spain, and England. Japanese 23-year-old Riko Ueki started at striker against Brazil, and while she retains her place today, veteran forward Mana Iwabuchi also comes back in, with the Tottenham forward's 85 caps and 37 goals providing much-needed experience to the attack.
There's one other change as well, with 22-year-old goalkeeper Momoko Tanaka dropped in favor of regular starter Ayaka Yamashita. Japan are missing veteran Mina Tanaka who has not yet featured for club or country in 2023.
Japan confirmed starting lineup (5-4-1): Yamashita (GK) — Shimizu, Miyake, Kumagai, Minami, Sugita — Fujino, Hasegawa, Nagano, Iwabuchi — Ueki.
Japan subs (12): Ohba (GK), Tanaka (GK), Hirao (GK), Ishikawa, Norimatsu, Takarada, Seike, Miyazawa, Endo, Hayashi, Kobayashi, Hamano.
How to watch USA vs Japan
- Date: Sunday, February 19
- Time: 3:30 p.m. ET
- TV channel (English): TNT
- Streaming (English): fuboTV, HBO Max
- TV channel (Spanish): Universo
- Streaming (Spanish): fuboTV, Peacock
MORE: Look back at the 2-0 USWNT win over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup opener
This USWNT match in the SheBelieves Cup will be shown on TNT in English. Turner Sports, who signed a eight-year broadcast deal with U.S. Soccer for both men's and women's broadcasts, has decided to put this match on television, after the opener of the competition was only shown exclusively on HBO Max. That means the broadcast is available for streaming on fuboTV, with HBO Max also an option.
There is a Spanish-language broadcast available on Universo, which can also be streamed on fuboTV. The match can be found in Spanish on NBC's subscription-based streaming service Peacock.
USWNT vs Japan betting odds
The United States, as the No. 1 ranked team in the FIFA standings, are understandably heavy favorites in this match, but not as heavy favorites as they've been against sides inferior to the No. 11-ranked Japanese.
| BetMGM | |
|---|---|
| USA win | -300 |
| Draw | +380 |
| Japan win | +675 |
| Both teams to score Y / N |
+100 / -140 |
| Over / Under 2.5 goals |
-155 / +110 |