Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; United States midfielder Lindsey Heaps (center left) celebrates with midfielder Rose Lavelle (center right) after scoring a goal against Japan during the second half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images
On February 6, 2025, the United States women’s national soccer team lost to Japan, 2-1, in the SheBelieves Cup. Losing to Japan, the No. 8-ranked team in the world, is not cause for a crisis, but it was still a bruise for a USWNT side accustomed to dominating that tournament — and the international women’s soccer landscape more broadly.
But on Saturday night, when the U.S. took the field against Japan, they looked like a different team than they were one year ago — one that is not only evolving, but growing more confident in the process.
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