Japan stops USWNT's reign in SheBelieves Cup

Field Level Media|published: Thu 27th February, 24:57 2025

Feb 26, 2025; San Diego, California, USA; USA forward Jaedyn Shaw (8) prepares to pass ball in the second half against Japan at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Julia Kapros-Imagn Images

Toko Koga scored the go-ahead goal in the 50th minute to help Japan defeat the U.S. women's national team 2-1 in San Diego on Wednesday to end the Americans' five-year reign as SheBelieves Cup champions.

Japan won its first title.

Yuka Momiki gave Japan the lead in the second minute before Ally Sentnor tied it in the 14th.

Each team won its two matches against Colombia and Australia for six points, and the U.S. needed a win in the finale because Japan held the goal difference tiebreaker (plus-7 to plus-3).

Koga, a halftime substitution, left the Americans needing two goals when she slammed a rebound of a 25-yard free kick by Yui Hasegawa.

U.S. goalie Jane Campbell extended to make a two-handed save at the upper left corner but was unable to collect the ball, and the 19-year-old Koga pounced on it.

Japan goalie Ayaka Yamashita stopped a Jaedyn Shaw shot from the top of the box in the 81st minute, then tipped a long strike by Tierna Davidson over the crossbar in the 90th.

Yamashita made four saves. Campbell had two.

U.S. coach Emma Hayes lost for the first time in her 18 matches (15-1-2) since debuting in June 2024 and winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics two months later in part due to a quarterfinal win over Japan.

The U.S. was seeking its eighth championship in the 10-year history of the SheBelieves Cup. France (2017) and England (2019) were the previous visitors who prevailed.

Japan got off to a dream start -- again. After scoring just 18 seconds into the match against Colombia on Sunday to set a SheBelieves Cup record, Momiki stunned the U.S. early.

She took a pass in the box from Hasegawa and spun from defender Emily Sonnett, who collided with Campbell. Momiki had a clear look at the open net and did not miss.

Sentnor in her second start and fifth match got the equalizer off a through ball just outside the penalty by Catarina Macario. Sentnor freed herself with her first touch, and her shot to the right corner produced her second career goal.

--Field Level Media

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