The USWNT sealed the deal on Friday, silencing Japan 3-0 to return to league play with a 2-1 friendly series win.
All three goals came in the second half. Defender Naomi Girma broke the stalemate off a corner kick, before midfielder Rose Lavelle doubled the lead on a Trinity Rodman assist. Then, defender Kennedy Wesley subsequently polished things off with her first-ever senior team goal.
“I think you could feel that there was a goal coming,” Wesley said postgame. “We had a lot of good chances... The team has been working so hard to wrap this camp up on a good note and show all the details that we have been working on, so it was a great showing from the group.”
“I think we’ve been really clear about what’s important to us, the process is always of the highest order,” said US manager Emma Hayes. “Have we made progress in these three games? A million percent.”
Friday’s lineup drew from the previous starting XIs: veterans coming off a win and a young squad smarting from a loss. The team managed to effectively hold possession while generating attacking power against an organized Japan.
Defender Tierna Davidson earned her first start of the series as she works her way back from last year’s ACL tear. Up front, Rodman teamed up with Alyssa Thompson and Sophia Wilson to form another magnetic partnership.
“You can’t become elite without rehearsal, failure, and learning — it doesn’t go in a straight line,” Hayes continued. “Of course I want to win every game, but not at the expense of what we’re trying to build.”
USWNT Rumored to Face Brazil in June Friendly
FIFA’s next international window arrives in June, as recent rumors link the US to a showdown with 2027 World Cup host Brazil in São Paulo.
USWNT vs Japan kicks off for all the marbles tonight, as the elite women’s soccer nations enter tonight’s series rubber match with one win apiece.
The US opened the three-friendly showdown with a veteran-fueled 2-1 win on Saturday, before the Nadeshiko turned the tide with Tuesday’s 1-0 shutout.
“I think we dominated a lot of really good things without having the secret sauce,” US manager Emma Hayes said after Japan snapped the team’s 10-game winning streak.
“We had a lot of control, and that’s a really good thing. But it’s like, alright, with all that control, what can we do?” midfielder Lindsey Heaps said.
“It’s that finishing phase. We had three, four chances at the end there. Continuing to build the connections in the final third is super important for us.”
Hayes opted for a full roster rotation between the first and second games, but tonight’s decider will likely feature a more balanced mix of seasoned experience and youthful firepower.
However, Hayes hasn’t yet adopted a win-now approach, even as the USWNT inches closer to November’s World Cup qualifiers.
“If I chose feeling good about everything, I’d make much different choices,” Hayes told reporters. “I’m a developer of talent — I believe in the combination of winning for today and tomorrow.”
How to Watch Friday's USWNT vs Japan Friendly
The US kicks off against Japan tonight at 9 PM ET, live on TNT.
Japan got the best of the US last night, as the world No. 5 Nadeshiko snapped the No. 2 US national team's 10-game winning streak with a 1-0 USWNT vs Japan win in rainy Seattle.
Despite maintaining the lion’s share of possession, the US struggled to advance the ball past Japan’s counter-press, conceding Maika Hamano’s first-half strike before failing to net the equalizer.
“When you can push yourself to play against the very best opponents in every situation, that is how you improve,” USWNT manager Emma Hayes said postgame.
After a veteran group secured Saturday’s opening win, Hayes opted to give a younger set some experience by swapping out her entire starting XI.
20-year-old midfielder Claire Hutton became the youngest player to wear the captain’s armband since 2001, with Tuesday’s lineup averaging 23.9 caps — compared to the weekend’s 56.3.
“We’ve got players that have some of the recipe, and they’re trying to implement it in their entirety, but it's a work in progress, and I think if I play solely to win, we maybe don’t change a lot in these games,” Hayes said of her choices.
“I don’t regret those decisions. I just know when a player shines against a certain type of opponent, for example, teams we might have played in January, let me see what you look like against Japan.”
How to Watch Friday's USWNT vs Japan Friendly
The series now moves to Colorado, as the rubber match kicks off on Friday at 9 PM ET, live on TNT.
USWNT vs Japan returns to the pitch tonight, with the two teams set to kick off the second of three April friendlies — with roster rotation on the agenda and a 10-game winning streak on the line.
The US opened the window with Saturday’s 2-1 win over the Nadeshiko, fueled by goals from veteran midfielders Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps.
“I want the whole group to experience the highest level game,” US coach Emma Hayes said Monday.
“So, what a great situation we're in to be able to put another team out tomorrow to get that exposure against one of the best sides in the world. Because you cannot close gaps until you identify what they are, and you can't do that when you're comfortable, and you absolutely can't do that when you're always the dominant side.”
Leaning into the youth movement, the US could combine a younger midfield trio with speedy attackers tonight, while possibly taking a hit in central defense.
After a training injury took center back Emily Sonnett out of Saturday’s match, Hayes opted to pair newcomer Kennedy Wesley with starter Naomi Girma on the backline.
Angel City defender Emily Sams could step in should Sonnett remain unavailable — with novice outside backs Lilly Reale and Avery Patterson primed to pick up the slack.
How to Watch Tuesday's USWNT vs Japan Friendly
The USWNT takes on Japan tonight at 10 PM ET, live on TNT.
Saturday's USWNT vs Japan matchup ended in a 2-1 victory, as veterans Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps stepped up to take the first of three April friendlies between the women's soccer titans.
Lavelle struck in the ninth minute for her 28th career goal in her 100th USWNT start. Lavelle became the 31st player to reach the milestone, passing Shannon Boxx and Joy Fawcett to claim No. 24 on the all-time US scoring list.
Heaps doubled the lead early in the second half. With Rose Lavelle providing the assist, Heaps became the 16th USWNT player to register 40 career goals.
Japan answered in the 61st minute. Substitute Riko Ueki redirected a header past goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. Despite appearing marginally offside on replays, the strike marked the first goal the USWNT conceded in 2026.
"Twelve months ago, we might have drawn this game," said US manager Emma Hayes postgame. "The progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal."
Hayes deployed veteran midfield trio Lavelle, Heaps, and Coffey, while giving forward Sophia Wilson her first national team start since the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wilson returned after giving birth to her daughter in August 2025, becoming the 18th mother to play for the USWNT.
"I'm proud of her," Hayes said of the striker. "It takes a bit of time to find that rhythm, and I think she gave it everything she could."
Wilson drew the eighth-minute foul that led to Lavelle's opening goal. She later combined with Heaps for a dangerous chance in the 21st minute, before exiting the match in the 67th minute.
Dickey finished the game with five saves. She made a close-range stop on a corner kick in the 79th minute, before collecting a looping header on the final play to preserve the victory.
How to Watch the Next USWNT vs Japan Friendly
The USWNT faces Japan again on Tuesday at 10 PM ET at Seattle's Lumen Field, live on TNT.
The USWNT returns to action Saturday against world No. 5 Japan, launching a three-friendly series against the Nadeshiko with several familiar faces rejoining the roster.
The No. 2 ranked United States last faced Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, where the Nadeshiko stunned a young USWNT side 2-1 to claim the tournament title. Japan enters the series fresh off winning the 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup, defeating host Australia 1-0 in the final.
"For us, patience is the biggest part," said forward Trinity Rodman ahead of Saturday's rematch. "Finding the areas to exploit in the final third… just being smart in those moments that we can take advantage."
The match could reunite two-thirds of Triple Espresso as Sophia Wilson joins Rodman on the USWNT roster for the first time since the team's gold medal 2024 Paris Olympics campaign. The frontline duo previously combined for crucial goals during the Olympic run, including Rodman's extra-time winner against Japan in the quarterfinals.
Defender Tierna Davidson also makes her national team return after recovering from last year's ACL injury, providing additional depth to the backline as the team begins World Cup qualifying preparations.
"They're champions of Asia. They're easily one of the best teams in the world," USWNT manager Emma Hayes said of Japan. "I think this is one of the favorites to win the World Cup. So, what a great test for us."
Japan is competing under interim coach Michihisa Kano after parting ways with manager Nils Nielsen last week. The Nadeshiko compiled a 6-0 record at the Women's Asian Cup, outscoring opponents 29-1.
How to Watch the USWNT vs Japan Friendlies
The USWNT kicks off against Japan on Saturday at 5:30 PM ET in San Jose, live on TNT.
The series continues in Seattle on April 14th before culminating in Colorado's April 17th finale.
Another USWNT roster has arrived as coach Emma Hayes prepares her April squad for next week's three-friendly series against Japan. The lineup includes several significant returns to the national team.
Forward Sophia Wilson rejoins the squad for the first time since 2024 after returning from maternity leave. The 25-year-old gave birth to her daughter in September, and carries 58 caps and 24 international goals back to the team. Wilson was part of the "Triple Espresso" front line that helped lead the USA to the 2024 Olympic gold medal.
Defender Tierna Davidson earned her first call-up since tearing her ACL in April 2025. The 27-year-old has made a complete recovery from the injury and returns after a 13-month absence. Davidson holds 67 caps and three goals for the national team.
"What a long journey she's been on," Hayes said of Davidson. "She's shown once again not just her resilience, but her determination to bring her back to a great level."
As November's World Cup qualifiers inch closer, Hayes has begun favoring consistency over experimentation. The USWNT coach tapped zero uncapped players for just the second time since joining the team in May 2024.
"I think the team is completely different now than it was 12 months ago," Hayes said. "When I look at the starting XI then, and I look at the roster now, I think the roster is much more developed."
Forward Michelle Cooper also returns to the roster for the first time this year after recovering from injuries. The 26-player lineup features 19 NWSL players and seven currently competing in Europe.
Japan enters the FIFA window as 2026 AFC Women's Asian Cup champions after defeating Australia in the final. The Nadeshiko outscored opponents 29-1 during their tournament run.
How to Watch April's USWNT vs. Japan Friendlies
The US kicks off its three-match series against Japan on April 11th at 5:30 PM ET, live on TNT.
With the CBA well on its way to becoming official, WNBA teams are announcing 2026 preseason exhibition matchups in the ramp-up to the league's 30th season.
On Monday, the Phoenix Mercury dropped plans for two preseason games, starting with an April 25th friendly against the Chicago Sky in Sioux Falls.
The clash will mark the first-ever WNBA game in South Dakota, with the game's historic location coming in part to honor the local ties that Phoenix head coach Nate Tibbetts and assistant coach Megan Vogel have to Sioux Falls.
The Mercury will then return to Phoenix to host an exhibition against the Japan women's national team on April 29th — the pair's third-ever meeting and first since 2013.
The international friendly isn't the only one on the WNBA's 2026 preseason docket, with Nigeria set to face both the LA Sparks and the Minnesota Lynx next month. The Sparks' April 25th friendly will make LA the first-ever WNBA team to play an African national team, before the Lynx host the visitors on April 27th.
The WNBA preseason will tip off on Saturday, April 25th, capping a whirlwind of activity spanning a two-team expansion draft, college draft, and free agency period.
ESPN reported the first step in the crammed lead-up to the 2026 season on Monday, with the league giving its veteran teams from April 1st through the 5th to finalize their player protection lists before the Portland Fire and Toronto Tempo stock their rosters in an expansion draft on Monday, April 6th.
Sam Kerr delivered a trademark moment of brilliance in Tuesday's China vs Australia semifinal, lifting the Matildas over China 2-1 to book a spot in Saturday's AFC Women's Asian Cup final.
Kerr scored the game-winner in the 58th minute, rounding the goalkeeper after receiving a pass from Caitlin Foord. She then threaded the ball into the net from a tight angle as Chinese defenders sprinted toward the goal line.
Foord opened the scoring for the Matildas in the 17th minute after Ellie Carpenter's breakout run down the right wing. Carpenter played the ball into space for Mary Fowler, who subsequently cut it back for Foord to finish.
China later equalized in the 26th minute via Zhang Linyan's penalty. Clare Hunt accidentally headed a bouncing ball into Australia's penalty area, allowing Zhang to run onto the loose ball before making light contact with keeper Mackenzie Arnold. The Chinese forward went on to convert the awarded spot kick.
The China vs Australia match grew physical in the first half, as Chinese midfielder Wang Aifang received a yellow card for a studs-up challenge on Katrina Gorry in the 35th minute. Tuesday's showdown featured contrasting possession stats, with Australia holding 62% of the ball while China managed 10 shots in the first half compared to Australia's four.
Australia will next face either Japan or South Korea in the final as the Matildas seek their first Asian Cup title since 2010.
Three-time world champion Kaori Sakamoto delivered a commanding performance in this morning's figure skating team event, scoring 78.88 points to lift Japan to second place at the Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics.
The 25-year-old finished first in the women's short program at Milano Ice Skating Arena, edging out reigning world champion Alysa Liu of Team USA by nearly four points.
Sakamoto skated near-flawlessly despite an edge error on her opening triple Lutz, going on to earn top levels on all her spins and footwork sequences. The two-time Olympic medalist expressed relief after Friday's performance, acknowledging her nerves while maintaining composure.
The Milano-Cortina Games mark Kaori Sakamoto's final Olympic appearance. After narrowly missing a fourth consecutive world championship win in June, she announced plans to retire from competitive figure skating following this season. With three world titles, she's currently tied with Japanese legend Asada Mao for the winningest Japanese women's figure skater.
Sakamoto won bronze in the individual event and silver in the team competition at Beijing 2022, after finisheing sixth at her 2018 Olympic debut in PyeongChang. This year, she aims to complete her medal collection by capturing Olympic gold.
After retirement, Kaori Sakamoto discussed plans to pursue coaching in her hometown of Kobe, hoping to develop the next generation of world-class Japanese figure skaters.
What's next for figure skater Kaori Sakamoto at the 2026 Winter Olympics?
Japan currently sits two points behind Team USA heading into the second day of team competition. Five nations remain in contention to advance to the final round, with Italy, Georgia, and Canada also in the running.
Sakamoto will likely return to the ice on Sunday, when the figure skating team event concludes with women's free skate at 2:45 PM ET, live across NBC and Peacock.