The USWNT suffered their first loss under manager Emma Hayes on Wednesday, falling 2-1 to No. 8 Japan and ceding the SheBelieves Cup title for the first time since 2019.
Only needing a draw to lift the trophy thanks to a goal differential, Japan's Yūka Momiki opened scoring almost immediately. Momiki capitalized on a scramble in the USWNT penalty area to give the Nadeshiko a 1-0 lead in the game's second minute.
With that goal, Japan became the only team to ever score in the first two minutes of a match against the USWNT twice, after first doing so at the 2024 SheBelieves Cup.
The 14th minute saw the USWNT draw level behind attacker Ally Sentnor’s second tournament goal, before Japan defender Tōko Koga slotted in game-winner shortly after subbing into the second half.
After leading Japan to their first-ever SheBelieves Cup title, Utah Royals forward Mina Tanaka's four goals earned her the tournament's Best Player award.
In her post-game remarks, Hayes called the tournament winners "without question one of the best teams in the world, with players that are extremely well played-in together."
Hayes's strategy remains unshaken by first USWNT loss
While the US walked away defeated, Hayes remains adamant that prioritizing player pool evaluation and showcasing less experienced players over winning at all costs will pay off in the long run.
"You’re comparing Hasegawa to a 17-year-old for us," Hayes told broadcaster TBS after the match, referencing 28-year-old world-renowned Japan and Manchester City defensive midfielder Yui Hasegawa. "Let’s have some perspective. I think it’s important to be calm in this moment."
"It's okay to be disappointed — I told the players that," she added. "It’s really important to remember moments like this and the learnings that we take from it… [You] learn the most important things when you play a top-class opponent. I’d rather do that now than much later."
The USWNT is now 15-1-2 under Hayes, who officially took the reins in May 2024. Unlike her early rosters, who immediately — and successfully — contended for Olympic gold, Hayes is now executing on her public commitment to develop young players.
Any loss stings for the world’s No. 1 team, but Hayes's strategy should reap longterm gains. To her point, it's better to test tomorrow's players now, rather than bank on them instantaneously leveling up on the 2027 World Cup pitch.
The world No. 1 USWNT is gearing up for the year’s toughest matchup to date, taking on No. 8 Japan in in pursuit of their eighth SheBelieves Cup title in Wednesday’s tournament final.
The US needs a win to lift the trophy, while a surging Japan can secure their first-ever SheBelieves Cup with a draw thanks to a steep goal differential advantage.
"It’s just the perfect game, it’s just what you want," USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said after Sunday’s win over Australia. "Japan, you can see on current form, scoring lots of goals, the quality of their play is so, so high."
Offense-heavy Japan to meet fresh-faced USWNT
Japan’s roster is led by Utah Royals forward and 2025 SheBelieves Golden Boot leader Mina Tanaka, who’s registered four goals and three assists over the Nadeshiko's first two tournament games — matches in which Japan dominantly outscored their opponents 8-1.
As for the USWNT, fans should expect more heavy roster rotation, following the history Hayes made against the Matildas by swapping out the team's entire starting lineup from their first-match victory over Colombia.
While the US is undoubtedly shooting for hardware, Hayes hasn’t lost sight of her plan to give less experienced players opportunities to develop against elite teams in a year without a major international tournament.
"This is the perfect game for where we are at, to learn a lot about ourselves," she told reporters ahead of Wednesday’s clash.
"I am certain we will have to suffer, because the way they dominate the ball, the way they progress up the pitch, with their rotations, with their dynamic advantages. I’m looking forward to watching."
The new-look national team has managed a perfect record so far this year, but contending with a highly clinical Japan side will take the competition to new heights — and make Wednesday's tournament title truly anyone’s to grab.
How to watch USWNT vs. Japan at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final
The USWNT will kick off against Japan from San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium at 10:30 PM ET on Wednesday, with live coverage on TBS, Max, and Peacock.