The U.S. women’s national team concluded its three-match April window vs. Japan on a winning note.
Emma Hayes’ squad shutout Japan 3-0 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado on Friday night. Naomi Girma, Rose Lavelle, and Kennedy Wesley all scored second-half goals to help the Americans rebound from Tuesday’s defeat in Seattle.
After a goal-less first half, Girma headed the USWNT in front only two minutes after the interval. The Chelsea defender finished off Wesley’s headed pass to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.
Lavelle added her name to the scoresheet nine minutes later, capping off a fast break with a composed finish. Trinity Rodman’s through ball pass allowed Lavelle the opportunity to race behind the Japan backline before scoring.
Wesley scored the USWNT’s third and final goal of the night, volleying home Jaedyn Shaw’s cross into the bottom-left corner.
USWNT goalkeeper Claudia Dickey registered a three-save clean sheet, her second shutout of the April window.
The Americans have now won seven of their eight matches in 2026 across all competitions as preparation continues ahead of FIFA World Cup Qualifying later this fall.
Also had no idea is still that cold in Colorado in late April wow. Only been to Denver in the summer.
Lived out there for 12 years. Weather in Colorado spring is pretty bipolar. 70s one day and 30s and snow the next. Denver can get snow all the way into mid May, but usually melts by the next day.
Much better and entertaining than last game. Nice to see Girma and Wesley get goals.
yep. Wilson made a world of difference, and as noted after the second game, the USWNT played tactically aware, consistently going over the Japanese high line D instead of trying to play through the pressure all the time, they mixed it up and got behind repeatedly, and the Hutton Heaps pairing was good in the middle. I had hoped to see Wesley again because she looked so nervous in her first game, and she responded well. We could have scored even more. the key for me was to play over the top and overlapping the flanks to optimize speed and strength which both favor the US, no need to get into some endlessly technical affair with Japan although our women are fine there, but Japan is not as comfy in the physicality contests, like on set pieces and corners too
in short imo, we played to our strengths much better instead of playing into Japan’s
I’m with you in that Sophia Wilson changes everything for this team in attack, and to think she’s still not in form coming off her pregnancy. Her dynamism in attack is superb, and although she’s not the most technical player, her ability to hold up the ball to bring others into the play, coupled with making runs in behind with pace and her unpredictable nature of getting off good shots is something else. I’m a firm believer that Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, Catarina Macario, Alyssa Thompson and Mallory Pugh are hands down the best attacking group in the world