U.S. women’s national team dominate third instalment of Japan series with second-half goal surge

The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) stormed to a 3-0 victory over Japan on Friday evening (17 April), delighting football fans in snowy Colorado.

After dominating a goalless first half, the U.S. came out with a point to prove in the second as they immediately broke the deadlock through Naomi Girma.

Rose Lavelle added a second ten minutes later, before defender Kennedy Wesley bagged her first international goal to seal their second win of this three-game mini-series.

It was a bright start from the hosts, both Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson linking up on the right in a bid to carve out the first chance of the game, though their efforts ultimately led to nothing.

Moments later, Japan unlocked the opposing defence for the first effort on goal through Koga Tōko. It came on the back of a goalmouth scramble through a corner, with U.S. goalkeeper Claudia Dickey gathering the effort and holding firm.

The opening exchanges between these great rivals remained finely poised, though Emma Hayes’s side soon tested Japan’s resolve. This time it was their chance to capitalise on a set piece, Wilson coming the closest to breaking the deadlock. She hit the ball on a sweet half-volley but could only watch as Chika Hirao parried it into the path of Naomi Girma, whose subsequent header sailed over the bar.

Wilson, a standout performer across both sides in the opening 45, continued to excel whether she was linking up play or making things happen on her own from different areas of the pitch. The recent first-time mother came close to the first goal of the game after some great skill down the right, but her effort was wide of the mark.

Minutes before the interval, Claire Hutton came the closest of any player when her effort from the edge of the area ricocheted off Hirao’s crossbar. Despite the added time, it was goalless at the break.

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After failing to make their first-half dominance count, the U.S. came into the second 45 with renewed energy as they immediately went on the attack through Wilson. The striker picked up a loose ball and powered towards the goal, her eventual effort turned behind for a corner by Hirao.

Rose Lavelle stepped up for the delivery, which found second-half substitute Kennedy Wesley at the back post. With virtually her first touch of the game, the defender headed back across goal to find centre-back partner Girma, who made no mistake from close range to head home and break the deadlock.

With a spring in their step, the U.S. continued to surge forward in search of their second. Ten minutes after the first, they found exactly that through Lavelle. It all came from Rodman’s inch-perfect pass, slipping the ball through the legs of her opposing defender and putting Lavelle one-on-one with Hirao. She made no mistake in slotting beyond the Japan shot-stopper to double their advantage.

Fans in Colorado didn’t have to wait long for a third, as the hosts continued to maintain momentum despite their flurry of changes. Standing over a corner, Jaedyn Shaw delivered a looping pass towards the far post where Wesley, already with an assist, bagged her first international goal with an unconventional though effective finish to make it a resounding three on the night.

Japan pushed to find a route back into proceedings, namely through Matsukubo Manaka whose glove-stinging effort from range was held by Dickey. In the end, the U.S. proved too strong across the pitch to register their 33rd victory in 44 meetings with their rivals.

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