US Women’s Team’s Rose Lavelle (16) celebrates her goal against Team Japan at the ninth minute at Pay Pal Park in San Jose Sat Apr 11, 2026 (Getty photo)
By William Espy
SAN JOSE–The United States Women’s National Team was in San Jose on Saturday as they hosted the Japanese National Team at PayPal Park as part of their current series of friendly matches.
Rose Lavelle, who was making her 100th start with the National Team, opened the scoring in the ninth minute, giving the United States an early lead. After the goal, the Japan offense came to life, getting a couple of chances on American goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
The United States nearly doubled their lead with a nice passing play in the 21st minute, but Alyssa Thompson’s shot went over the goal. The United States carried momentum after that point, getting quite a few chances late in the first half. The Americans would take their 1-0 lead into the half.
Japan made a pair of substitutions to start the second half, while the United States kept the same lineup.
The American captain, Lindsey Heaps, was able to break through the Japanese defense and get her foot on a perfectly placed pass by Lavelle to make it a 2-0 game.
Japan made wholesale changes in the 60th minute, swapping out four players in an attempt to get their offense going. Less than a minute later, Japan got their first goal of the night off a header by Riko Ueki. Sophia Wilson nearly restored the Americans’ two-goal lead in the 64th minute but was denied on a shot from inside the box.
In the 67th minute, the United States made their first substitutions of the night. Trinity Rodman exited for Michelle Cooper while Ally Sentnor took the field for Wilson.
Ueki nearly tied things up in the 79th minute but was denied by Dickey.
Bay FC’s Claire Hutton entered the match in the 84th minute, taking Heaps’ spot on the pitch. Emma Sears also entered the game at that point for Alyssa Thompson.
The United States hung on to their lead for the remainder of the half, picking up a 2-1 victory over Japan.
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