Following a solid win against Colombia the USWNT downed Australia by a score of 2-1 to set up a winner take all matchup against Japan. The Australia game saw significant changes to the starting XI as Emma Hayes fully rotated her starting lineup from the opener against Colombia. The changes worked as far as producing a result against the Matildas.
In fact, after a first minute goal from Lynn Biyendolo the USA was in the driver’s seat and stayed there for the remainder of the match. The Stars and Stripes dominated possession with 66% of the ball and outshot their opponents 15-6 with 7 of those shots on goal. It was not a flawless performance and despite Australia struggling to create chances, the team did get a goal past Many McGlynn in her second appearance in a national team shirt.
As for Japan, the team in blue has been burning hot this tournament. They opened against Australia and put four goals in the net and followed that up against Colombia by putting four goals into the net. That included a first minute goal of their own as Japan has gone ahead of both of their opponents in the tournament before the 7th minute.
Mina Tanaka is having a superlative tournament with four goals and three assists. The forward will also be familiar with many USWNT players having faced them in the NWSL as a member of the Utah Royals. Shutting down the main scoring outlet will be a priority for the USA in the match.
Nils Nielsen has rotated his lineups though with different combinations in midfield and the forward line in the cup. However, Japan has featured the same back four in both of their matches and 180 minutes in six days ahead of a USA team that was able to rest key players ahead of the match will be an advantage for the Stars and Stripes.
This is a must-win game for the USWNT as Japan holds the goal differential tie-breaker in the tournament. It is exactly the kind of environment Hayes wants her players in as the team faces the pressure of a cup final. Players who are trying to break into the conversation of being national team regulars will be eager to have this kind of opportunity and show they belong on the roster.
The USWNT showed that it is back among the top teams in the world after winning Gold last summer. While the SheBelieves Cup is not exactly the World Cup, winning games against world class opponents like Japan should push the doubts about if this team can regain it’s dominant run that it saw while winning the 2015 and 2019 World Cups. Questions are being asked and it’s time for the team to step up and show they can answer them.
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