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Nadeshiko Japan defeated the United States Women's National Team 1-0 in a friendly at Lumen Field in Seattle on Tuesday, ending the USWNT's 10-match winning streak — the Americans' longest unbeaten run since a 2-1 friendly loss to Portugal last October.
Key developments
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The goal: Maika Hamano put Japan ahead in the 27th minute after a quick combination through the midfield. Fuka Nagano played a through ball to striker Maya Hijikata, who turned and found Hamano entering the right side of the penalty area. With Lilly Reale closing, Hamano cut back onto her right foot and drove a high shot just beyond the dive of goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
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Japan's shot-stopper: Akane Okuma made five saves, becoming the first goalkeeper to shut out the USWNT since England held them to a 0-0 draw on 30 November 2024. Japan — the 2011 World Cup champions — also became the first side to defeat the Americans since Portugal's friendly win last October.
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Rotation by both sides: USA head coach Emma Hayes named an entirely new starting eleven from the team that beat Japan 2-1 in San Jose on Saturday, switching formation from a 4-4-2 to a 4-2-3-1. Japan coach Michihisa Kano made nine changes as well. Hayes deployed a quadruple substitution in the 65th minute — Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Tierna Davidson, and Gisele Thompson — sparking a late flurry of chances that Okuma and Japan's defense survived.
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By the numbers: The USWNT held 66.5 percent of possession and led 12-9 in overall shots, but shots on target finished level at five apiece. Attendance reached 36,128, reported as a record for a women's sporting event in Seattle.
What to watch
The two nations meet for a third and final friendly on Friday in Commerce City, Colorado. Whether Hayes restores a more settled lineup — and how the USWNT responds after being shut out for the first time in roughly seventeen months — will be the main tactical storyline to follow.
Beyond the series, Tuesday's result raises questions about squad depth and finishing efficiency that USA staff and observers will be monitoring ahead of the next major competition window.
Sources
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