The United States women’s national team mounted a 2-1 comeback victory vs. Japan in the SheBelieves Cup semifinal on Saturday in front of a record crowd in Atlanta, Georgia.
The 50,644 fans (the most ever for a non-World Cup or Olympic game on U.S. soil) in Mercedes-Benz Stadium sat stunned when Japan figuratively punched the USWNT in the mouth with a goal just 30 seconds into the game.
30 seconds is all it takes for Japan’s Kiko Seike to take the lead vs. USWNT.
WoahWatch the match on TNT/Max pic.twitter.com/RlRAa7USJa
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2024
Immediately the USWNT put the pressure on Japan with several great chances including a clearance off the line to deny Mallory Swanson.
Mallory Swanson denied off the line
Watch the match on TNT/Max pic.twitter.com/XHnU8tnQbR— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2024
This was Swanson’s first game with the national team in 364 days after recovering from a major knee injury.
San Diego Wave FC youngster and rising USWNT star Jaedyn Shaw found the equalizer for the U.S. with a quality strike in the 21st minute.
The 19-year-old can’t stop scoring.
Jaedyn Shaw goal vs Japan
Jaedyn Shaw from distance
Five goals in five starts for USWNTWatch the match on TNT/Max pic.twitter.com/fRcZY44xKr
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2024
Saturday’s game was Shaw’s fifth start for the USWNT. She’s scored in every game she’s started.
Shaw now has seven goals in 11 appearances and is making a fantastic case to be included in the 18-player Olympics roster this summer.
5 - Jaedyn Shaw is the only player in #USWNT history to score in her first five career starts.
She's only the 13th player to score in 5 straight starts in any point in her career and at 19 years, 138 days old, the youngest ever to do so. Unstoppable. pic.twitter.com/C7WBEftzt6— OptaJack⚽️ (@OptaJack) April 6, 2024
The USWNT dominated the chances as they pushed for the go-ahead goal but struggled to find the finish required. Swanson, Lindsey Horan, Alex Morgan and Sophia Smith all had great opportunities to score but couldn’t get their shots on target.
Smith, who came in for Trinity Rodman in the 63rd minute, drew a penalty kick after splitting two Japan defenders and getting taken down in the box. Horan stepped up to give the USWNT the lead from the spot in the 77th minute.
Captain Lindsey Horan makes no mistake from the spot
USWNT leadWatch the match on TNT/Max pic.twitter.com/2NxqT2rkb9
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 6, 2024
Japan pushed for a second goal and came close on a set piece but ultimately fell short.
Saturday’s result was a great show of character from the USWNT who responded fantastically to the adversity of going down early.
The U.S. also suffered a crucial injury as star defender Naomi Girma was taken out of the game in the 18th minute with a thigh injury. The severity of the injury isn't known but Girma was able to walk off the field.
The U.S. advance to Tuesday’s final where they will meet the winner of Canada vs. Brazil at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio, at 3:30 p.m. ET.
