Toko Koga scored early in the second half, leading Japan to a 2-1 victory over the United States in the SheBelieves Cup title game. This defeat marked the first loss for the U.S. team under coach Emma Hayes, ending their unbeaten streak since February of last year when they were defeated by Mexico in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.
The loss also halted the U.S. team's run of five consecutive titles in the SheBelieves Cup, a tournament now in its 10th year. Both the United States and Japan entered the final match undefeated, but Japan emerged victorious at Snapdragon Stadium.
Despite the disappointment, Hayes expressed a broader perspective, stating, 'Our goals go beyond just the SheBelieves. We put out a team we're hoping to develop.' The U.S. team had previously enjoyed a 14-game unbeaten streak against Japan, with their last loss to Japan dating back to 2012.
Yuka Momiki opened the scoring for Japan in the second minute, but Ally Sentnor equalized for the U.S. in the 14th minute with an assist from Catarina Macario. Japan regained the lead in the 50th minute through Toko Koga, who came on as a second-half substitute.
Hayes, now 15-1-2 as the U.S. coach, acknowledged Japan's superior performance, noting, 'They were a higher level to us throughout the whole evening.' The U.S. team underwent significant roster changes for the match, with Hayes making 10 alterations from their previous victory over Australia.
Japan's Mina Tanaka, who plays for the Utah Royals in the NWSL, was named tournament MVP after leading all players with four goals and three assists. In other SheBelieves Cup action, Colombia secured their first win with a 2-1 victory over Australia, who played without star player Sam Kerr.
The U.S. team faced challenges with key players unavailable due to injuries and personal commitments, highlighting the importance of developing less experienced players. Hayes emphasized the learning opportunity from the defeat, stating, 'This is the game I really wanted for us to really see where players who have played less than five matches for the national team, what's really missing for them, whether it's in possession or out of possession.'
Japan's victory over the United States in the SheBelieves Cup final marked a significant moment in women's soccer, showcasing the competitive nature of international football and the ongoing development of talent within the sport.
