The USWNT secures a spot in the SheBelieves Cup final with a 2-1 victory over Australia. The American squad triumphed thanks to goals from Lynn Biyendolo (formerly known as Williams) and Michelle Cooper, setting the stage for a highly anticipated match against Japan on Wednesday.
Although the USWNT seemed poised for a clean sheet, Michelle Heyman found the back of the net with a header from Hayley Raso’s cross in the 80th minute. This match marked goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn’s second start, where she faced numerous challenges from the Australian side. Late-game opportunities from Korbin Albert and Ally Sentnor could not convert into additional goals, leaving the Americans with a narrow win.
On the other hand, Japan has dominated the tournament, decisively defeating Australia 4-0 and Colombia 4-1, showcasing their offensive prowess.
Coach Emma Hayes made a significant shift in strategy, implementing a completely new lineup with 11 changes from the previous game against Colombia. This marked a rare occurrence in USWNT history, as it was only the sixth time all starters had been changed in consecutive matches, a feat not seen in 25 years.
Tierna Davidson, who captained the team, expressed pride in the new players’ resilience. “This combination really hasn’t been seen before,” she remarked. “We knew that it wasn’t going to be perfect, but the effort to secure two goals is commendable.”
The youthful roster featured a debut from 19-year-old midfielder Claire Hutton, who is seen as a promising talent for the national team. Additionally, sisters Alyssa and Gisele Thompson made history by starting together, marking only the fourth instance in USWNT history where sisters have played in the same match.
Here are key takeaways from the match:
Play of the game:
In the 68th minute, Michelle Cooper scored her first goal for the USWNT in just her second cap, extending their lead to 2-0. Hutton’s intelligent play near the top of the box set up Sentnor, who maneuvered through defenders before Cooper capitalized on the opportunity.
Cooper humorously acknowledged her teammate’s involvement, saying, “I looked at Ally and said, ‘I’m so sorry!’ because I basically stole it from you.” Coach Hayes reassured her, emphasizing the importance of scoring in such competitive matches.
Turning point:
Biyendolo wasted no time, scoring just 42 seconds into the match to give the USWNT an early lead. Emma Sears’ swift run down the left flank set the play in motion, allowing Jaedyn Shaw to deliver a precise cross to Biyendolo, who found the net despite offside concerns.
This goal also marked Biyendolo’s first as a married player, having wed her Australian husband Marley in December.
Key stat:
Hayes emphasized the goal of this camp: to expand the talent pool by providing less experienced players with valuable game time under pressure.
What’s next for the USWNT?
The Americans will travel to San Diego for the SheBelieves Cup final against Japan on February 26. Their last encounter was during the Paris Olympics quarterfinals, where Trinity Rodman’s late goal secured a semifinal berth for the USWNT. Rodman, however, will not participate this time as she continues her recovery from injury.
The USWNT is aware that facing Japan will present a tactical challenge, as their opponents are known for their organized defensive play and ability to control the game. This match will test the discipline and adaptability of the USWNT, many of whom have not faced Japan before.
“This matchup is ideal for our development,” Hayes remarked. “Japan’s current form is impressive, showcasing their scoring ability and high-quality play. This game will reveal much about our team, especially in how we handle their ball dominance and tactical rotations.”
