USWNT Veterans Shine in 2-1 Friendly Win Over Japan

Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Horan lead the way as USWNT tops Japan in first of three friendlies.

Apr. 13, 2026 at 3:54pm

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A cubist, geometric painting depicting a USWNT soccer match, with sharp planes of red, white, and blue representing the dynamic action on the field.The USWNT's veteran stars shine through the geometric abstraction of a hard-fought friendly victory over Japan.San Jose Today

The U.S. women's national team defeated Japan 2-1 in a friendly match at PayPal Park in San Jose, California on Saturday night. Gotham FC midfielder Rose Lavelle opened the scoring in the 9th minute and then assisted on a goal by team captain Lindsey Horan in the 48th minute. Japan pulled one back in the 61st minute, but the USWNT held on for the victory.

Why it matters

This was the first meeting between the USWNT and Japan since Japan upset the U.S. at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. The win gives the USWNT a measure of revenge and shows the progress the team has made under manager Emma Hayes, who now has a 31-3-2 record leading the national team.

The details

The USWNT's two goals came from their oldest and most experienced players, with the 31-year-old Horan scoring her 40th international goal and the 30-year-old Lavelle recording her 28th goal and 29th assist for the national team. The match also marked Lavelle's 100th career start for the USWNT. The U.S. defense was tested by Japan's intense pressing, with centerbacks Naomi Girma and Kennedy Wesley both giving the ball away in dangerous areas at times. The USWNT made just four substitutions compared to nine for Japan, with Hayes preferring to stick with her veteran starters.

  • The match took place on Saturday, April 13, 2026 at PayPal Park in San Jose, California.
  • The USWNT will face Japan again on Tuesday, April 16, 2026 at Lumen Field in Seattle.

The players

Rose Lavelle

A 30-year-old midfielder for Gotham FC who scored the opening goal and provided the assist on the second goal for the USWNT. This was her 119th appearance for the national team.

Lindsey Horan

The 31-year-old team captain of the USWNT, who scored the second goal for the U.S. in the 48th minute. This was her 174th international cap and 40th goal for the national team.

Naomi Girma

A USWNT centerback who was culpable of giving the ball away in dangerous areas against Japan's intense pressing.

Kennedy Wesley

A USWNT centerback who, like Girma, struggled at times with Japan's high press and gave the ball away near the U.S. box.

Riko Ueki

The West Ham United forward who scored Japan's lone goal in the 61st minute.

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What they’re saying

“I think the progress is in staying in the game and not conceding a second goal. Where we've come from the last time that we played them in the SheBelieves Cup. We've come a very long way.”

— Emma Hayes, USWNT Manager

What’s next

The USWNT will face Japan again on Tuesday, April 16, 2026 at Lumen Field in Seattle.

The takeaway

This victory over Japan gives the USWNT a measure of revenge after their upset loss at the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. It also shows the progress the team has made under manager Emma Hayes, with veteran stars like Lavelle and Horan leading the way. The match was a good test for the U.S. defense against Japan's intense pressing, an area the team will look to improve ahead of the next two friendlies.