Kennedy Wesley scores 1st international goal as USWNT beats Japan 3-0

Wesley added an assist in the second half as the U.S. bounced back from a loss to Japan earlier in the week.

Apr. 18, 2026 at 3:57am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a USWNT soccer match, with fragmented geometric shapes in the team's colors representing the players, ball, and field of play.The USWNT's clinical finishing and tactical adjustments in the second half powered their 3-0 victory over Japan.San Jose Today

Kennedy Wesley scored her first international goal and had an assist after entering as a substitute in the second half, helping the United States women's national team beat Japan 3-0 in a friendly match. Naomi Girma and Rose Lavelle also scored for the USWNT, which outshot Japan 9-1 in the first half before breaking through after halftime.

Why it matters

The USWNT was looking to bounce back after losing to Japan 1-0 earlier in the week, snapping a 10-game winning streak. The match was part of an unusual three-game series between the two teams as they prepare for upcoming World Cup qualifying.

The details

Wesley, who replaced Tierna Davidson in the second half, played a header from the left post to Girma, who headed home the finish from point-blank range to make it 1-0 in the 47th minute. Lavelle then gave the U.S. a 2-0 lead in the 56th minute, outracing the defense down the middle of the field and slipping a shot inside the left post. Wesley scored the third goal on a volley off a corner kick in the 64th minute.

  • The game was played in temperatures hovering around freezing at Dick's Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
  • The match was the final of an unusual three-game series between the U.S. and Japan, with the U.S. winning the first game 2-1 and Japan winning the second 1-0.

The players

Kennedy Wesley

A U.S. women's national team player who scored her first international goal and had an assist in the match.

Naomi Girma

A U.S. women's national team player who scored a goal in the match.

Rose Lavelle

A U.S. women's national team player who scored a goal in the match.

Tierna Davidson

A U.S. women's national team player who took a hard fall in the first half but was able to finish the half.

Emma Hayes

The head coach of the U.S. women's national team.

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What they’re saying

“I felt we came out in the second half and there was no coming back, to be honest”

— Emma Hayes, U.S. women's national team head coach

“I felt tonight we were just clinical in the final third”

— Emma Hayes, U.S. women's national team head coach

“I really don't have any words. I mean, it was the perfect ball from Jaedyn and I was just in the right place at the right time. I'm just over the moon.”

— Kennedy Wesley

What’s next

The USWNT will continue their preparations for World Cup qualifying later this year.

The takeaway

The USWNT bounced back from a loss to Japan earlier in the week, with young players like Kennedy Wesley stepping up to contribute goals and assists. The team's depth and ability to adjust its lineup will be key as they gear up for World Cup qualifying.