Japan stunned the United States women's national team witb a 2-1 victory on Wednesday to win won their first SheBelieves Cup title

Toko Koga scored the go-ahead goal in the 50th minute to help Japan defeat the U.S. in San Diego on Wednesday to end the Americans' five-year reign as SheBelieves Cup champions.

USWNT vs Japan highlights

Yuka Momiki gave Japan the lead in the second minute before Ally Sentnor tied it in the 14th.

The United States women’s national team opened their 2025 SheBelieves Cup campaign with a 2-0 victory against Colombia on Thursday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas. The Ally Sentnor goal vs Colombia to double the lead was the big highlight of the match as the Utah Royals youngster scored with a phenomenal strike.

In the 60th minute the 21-year-old received the ball in Colombia’s final third and quickly torched two defenders before launching a rocket from 25 yards that left the goalkeeper with no chance.

Ally Sentnor goal vs Colombia

A Lindsey Horan name change might confuse fans initially in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, but have no fear United States women’s national team supporters because the captain is still here.

The USWNT leader and Lyon midfielder will debut her husband’s surname, “Heaps”, on the back of her jersey for the first time in this year’s SheBelieves Cup.

Lindsey Horan name change

Lindsey and her new husband, Tyler Heaps, tied the knot in December 2024. After playing 161 games with “Horan” on the back of her kit for the USWNT, she’ll now play under a new name.

The United States women’s national team had an incredible 2024 winning their first Olympic gold medal in 12 years. The 2025 USWNT calendar might not have any major tournaments on schedule but will still be an important 12-month stretch.

In 2025 the sole tournament for the USWNT will be the SheBelieves Cup in February against top opponents Australia, Japan and Colombia.

2025 USWNT calendar

January

• Jan. 14-21: Training camp in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

February

SheBelieves Cup

Twila Kilgore’s time as interim head coach of the United States women’s national team has come to an end following the SheBelieves Cup triumph vs. Canada. 

Current Chelsea boss Emma Hayes will coach the next USWNT game which will be a friendly vs. South Korea on June 1.

Kilgore finishes her eight-month tenure with a Concacaf W Gold Cup title, a SheBelieves Cup title and a national team with renewed hope.

The U.S. women’s national team were crowned the 2024 SheBelieves Cup champions after defeating Canada in Columbus on Tuesday.

After facing off against Canada in the W Gold Cup semifinals last March and  defeating The Maples through penalties, both national teams were to meet once again in hopes of winning a trophy.

The young American has had quite the week in her return to USWNT camp.

Following a more than controversial end of March for the USWNT's Korbin Albert, the 20-year-old midfielder was relegated to the bench and booed by fans as she came onto the pitch as a substitute.

Korbin Albert booed by fans in USWNT-Japan

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.

Woah

United States women’s national team head coach Twila Kilgore turned heads with her starting XI for the SheBelieves Cup semifinal vs. Japan on Saturday. Korbin Albert will start the game on the bench and Mallory Swanson returns for the first time in a year.

Swanson last started a game with the USWNT on April 8, 2023, when she suffered a severe knee injury. She’s back in the starting XI for the first time since.

USWNT starting XI vs Japan

The XI to get us started in Atlanta

All eyes will be on the United States women’s national team starting XI on Saturday ahead of the SheBelieves Cup semifinal vs. Japan. The elephant in the room is obvious. Will Korbin Albert start the game?

Under normal circumstances Albert starting in the midfield for the USWNT would be a no brainer. She was terrific for the team alongside Sam Coffey during the Concacaf W Gold Cup and broke her way into the starting XI.