Emma Hayes tasted her first defeat as head coach of the U.S. women’s national team on Wednesday night, when Japan claimed a 2-1 victory in the SheBelieves Cup finale at Snapdragon Stadium. It took barely two minutes for the visitors to score, leaving the home crowd stunned and setting the tone for a night that ended with Japan lifting the trophy and the Americans left searching for answers.
Japan’s tactics hinged on rapid, coordinated pressing in the final third and a silky midfield combination spearheaded by Yui Hasegawa, whose ability to dictate tempo gradually wore down the U.S. The visitors also funneled play toward the flanks whenever Catarina Macario drifted centrally, neutralizing her incisive passing. With Hasegawa and Fuka Nagano consistently winning second balls, the Japanese enjoyed large spells of possession that kept the U.S. from building through midfield.
Ally Sentnor’s early equalizer—her second goal of the tournament—hinted at a possible shift in momentum. Yet the second half brought renewed pressure from Japan, whose front line pressed with intensity that disrupted the Americans’ attempts to reset. In response, Emma Hayes introduced subs to spark movement in wide areas, but the Japanese back line never lost its shape. Toko Koga’s goal on a second-chance free kick secured the result and underscored just how little time and space the U.S. was afforded on the ball.
Shock in San Diego?
Although this was Hayes’ first defeat after a string of encouraging results—including a Gold Medal run in Paris—it fits into her broader plan to test unseasoned talent before high-stakes tournaments. “It’s OK to be disappointed,” she said postgame. “It’s really important to remember moments like this and the learnings we take from it.”
Previous matches under Hayes were often marked by controlled possession and incisive finishing, but this new-look squad showed how quickly the U.S. can struggle when pressed by an opponent unafraid to take risks.
Several observers believe the implications go beyond this single loss. Younger talents, including Sentnor and Lily Yohannes, learned firsthand what facing a disciplined, high-energy side like Japan means.
With April friendlies against Brazil on the horizon, the immediate question is how quickly Hayes will tweak her approach while nurturing a player pool that remains in flux. For now, the lesson is clear: in an increasingly competitive women’s game, no matchup can be taken for granted, and no defeat need be wasted.
