SheBelieves Cup 2024: USWNT concede early but beat Japan 2-1 to reach final
The United States defeated Japan 2-1 in Atlanta on Saturday (6 April) to reach the final of the 2024 SheBelieves Cup.
Captain Lindsey Horan scored the winner from the penalty spot 15 minutes from time after Japan had taken the lead just 30 seconds into the game.
After a build-up dominated by reaction to social media posts made by Korbin Albert, the home side made the worst possible start with goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher at fault.
Seike Kiko ran on to a long ball near the right touchline and advanced into the penalty area before her shot somehow beat Naeher’s dive to go in off the far post.
Things got worse in the 18th minute as key defender Naomi Girma was forced off with a suspected thigh injury.
But moments later, the hosts levelled after Japan gave away possession in their own half.
Sam Coffey pounced on the loose ball and squared for Jaedyn Shaw to strike a fizzing shot from the edge of the area beyond a motionless Yamashita Ayaka in the Japan goal.
That made 19-year-old Shaw the first player to score on her first five starts for the U.S. national football team.
The USA enjoyed plenty of pressure after that with forward Mal Swanson impressing in her return to the side almost exactly a year after tearing a kneecap tendon.
And they were presented with an opportunity to go ahead when substitute Sophia Smith was fouled as she made her way into the box.
Horan stepped up and beat Yamashita’s dive with a low strike into the corner to the delight of most of the 50.644 fans inside the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Albert made her entrance from the bench just after that, together with Catarina Macario and Crystal Dunn, with her name announcement over the PA accompanied by some boos from the crowd.
Apart from that early aberration, it was a solid display from the team - coached by Twila Kilgore until Chelsea manager Emma Hayes arrives in June - who will face wither Brazil or Canada in Tuesday's final in Columbus, Ohio.
