Emma Hayes suffers first loss as USWNT coach as Japan wins SheBelieves Cup
SAN DIEGO — Toko Koga scored early in the second half and Japan handed the United States its first loss under Coach Emma Hayes with a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in the SheBelieves Cup title game.
The Americans had not lost since last February when they fell, 2-0, to Mexico in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup. The loss also snapped the U.S. team's string of five titles in the SheBelieves Cup, now in its 10th year.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Fox Sports
2 hours ago
- Fox Sports
A Stern Gold Cup Test Ahead For The U.S. Men Against Costa Rica's Keylor Navas
MINNEAPOLIS — Now the real test begins for this version of the U.S. men's national team. It's already been an interesting summer for the Americans, who are missing more than a dozen regulars — including stars like Christian Pulisic and Antonee Robinson — for various reasons during this Concacaf Gold Cup, which continues for the tournament hosts here on Sunday with a do-or-die quarterfinal against Costa Rica at U.S. Bank Stadium (kickoff at 7 p.m. ET on FOX). After dropping its two pre-Gold Cup friendlies to European foes Türkiye and Switzerland and entering the regional championship with four straight losses, the USMNT reeled off three group stage wins over Trinidad and Tobago, Haiti and guest nation Saudi Arabia. None of that means anything on Sunday. Just ask Panama, the team Canada coach Jesse March called the title favorite before Los Canaleros were stunned on penalties on Saturday by Honduras — a squad the Canadians trounced 6-0 in their first-round opener just 11 days prior. "It's going to be a lot tougher," U.S. forward Malik Tillman said of the challenge posed by Costa Rica. "But all of us want to win this tournament. If you want to win, you have to win against anyone." You also need to score. Doing that won't be easy against all-planet Costa Rican goalkeeper Keylor Navas. A three-time UEFA Champions League titlist with Real Madrid, Navas is now 38. But he's looked as stout as ever at this Gold Cup, helping his country reach the last eight by making a number of key saves, including several of the spectacular variety in a scoreless tie with Mexico in both sides' last match in group play. U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino coached Navas at Paris Saint-Germain during the 2021-22 season. "My memories with Keylor are amazing," Pochettino said during Saturday's pre-game press conference. "Always we admire him, his mentality and his quality as a keeper. It's a fantastic moment to share tomorrow with him. He's a great player. He's a great keeper, one of the best in the world." Not that the Americans are fazed. "His career speaks for itself," U.S. veteran Tyler Adams said. "He's obviously the leader of that team, and I think his ability to organize is obviously going make it difficult. His shot stopping is unbelievable. But, you know, I have confidence in my strikers." Patrick Agyemang figures to spearhead the U.S. attack for the fourth game running. "It's nice to be able to compete against the top players," Agyemang said on Saturday. The towering Charlotte FC forward is among a handful of Americans who are dealing with the possibility of a club transfer during this Gold Cup. Ageymang has been linked to a move to England's second tier Championship. Tillman, who plays for Dutch champs PSV Eindhoven and leads the USMNT with three goals so far at this Gold Cup, is a rumored target of Germany's Bayern Leverkusen. Midfielder Johnny Cardoso, questionable for Sunday because of an ankle injury, was visited by Atlético Madrid's doctor in Minnesota ahead of what is expected to be a transfer worth more than $30 million from Spain's Real Betis. Even Pochettino has been in the news; the Argentine told me on Saturday that he's fully committed to the USMNT through next summer's World Cup and scoffed at a report that he'd recently been interviewed by English Premier League club Brentford. "It's not a distraction at all," defender Walker Zimmerman, who is looking for his first start at this Gold Cup, said of the outside noise. "Those who have been in those talks, they know that the better they play here, and the continuing success of the team, is gonna help them with their individual career and their moves." Inside the camp, the priority is clear. "The national team," Agyemang said, "is all we're focused on right now." It has to be that way against an opponent the Americans know can hurt them if given the chance "We have to understand that they're probably most dangerous when we have the ball, because one mistake and they're ready to pounce," Adams said. "We can't get casual, because they can lure you into a game where you have a lot of possession. "That's exactly what they want," Adams continued. "One opportunity and they're going the other way." Still, the U.S. likes their chances. Even with many of the regulars missing, there's been a quiet confidence building within the ranks this month. "We have the talent, we have the ability. But it's about being intense and aggressive with and without the ball," defender Tim Ream said. "That's going to be the key for us, and making sure that we're conveying that message to all the guys – especially the ones who aren't used to these types of situations and these types of games. "Everybody is on the same page right now," Ream added. "Everybody's ready to go." Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports who has covered United States men's and women's national teams at FIFA World Cups on five continents. Follow him @ ByDougMcIntyre . recommended Get more from Gold Cup Follow your favorites to get information about games, news and more
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- Yahoo
More changes coming to USWNT roster ahead of Sunday matchup with Ireland
U.S. women's national team fans can expect more change from Emma Hayes this weekend as the national team prepares to face Ireland for the second time in four days in Cincinnati. The U.S. women's head coach told reporters in a brief media availability on Saturday that she will continue making changes with the roster, keeping with her theme of testing the depth of the national team's player pool. Advertisement The team continues its three-game week with the second of back-to-back friendlies against Ireland at TQL Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The team then heads to Washington, D.C., where they face continental rival Canada on Wednesday at Audi Field. When asked what Hayes will look for in her team during this window, she said: 'Progress, always. 'With that, when you play the same opponent twice in four days, is (seeing) how quickly you can learn. Not just about yourself, but when an opponent makes adaptations, how are you going to look to exploit that? So, (looking at those) details, looking for those things, particularly with the fact that I'm going to be making changes tomorrow.' Changes have become the norm for Hayes, who has seen 21 players debut on the senior team since she took over as head coach of the program last year. Advertisement The U.S. cruised to a 4-0 victory against Ireland on Thursday in a match that saw midfielder Rose Lavelle's triumphant return from injury as well as three debuts. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey of Seattle Reign FC and left back Lilly Reale of Gotham FC earned starts in Colorado. Reign defender Jordyn Bugg also earned her first cap, subbing on late in the second half for captain Naomi Girma. The three remaining uncapped players on the roster heading into Sunday include Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson, who did not dress for Thursday's game, Seattle Reign midfielder Sam Meza and Kansas City Current defender Izzy Rodriguez. This current USWNT roster is without some of its veteran stars. Hayes chose to give European-based players the summer off, describing this rest as a necessary break from long seasons in Europe. This is especially important as the team looks ahead to World Cup 2027 and the Olympics in Los Angeles the following year. Girma, who plays for Chelsea, is the only European-based player on the roster. The remaining 24 players on the roster play in the NWSL. Advertisement The match on Sunday is also serving as a homecoming for Lavelle, who hails from Cincinnati. The veteran midfielder had been absent from the pitch for six months, recovering from ankle surgery. She had an explosive return with the U.S. on Thursday, recording a goal and an assist in her first game back with the team. 'I think the structure in the team has allowed her game to elevate another level,' Hayes said, 'and what we saw the other night was how much we've missed her, even in the few months she's been out.' But Hayes cautioned that Lavelle's time on the pitch will continue to be managed. In their first match against Ireland, the midfielder was subbed off in the 59th minute. 'I have to, again, proceed with a bit of caution, because she's just coming back, so it's a really tight turnaround, and I'm going to have to manage things properly tomorrow for her,' Hayes said. 'But we're delighted to have her back.' This article originally appeared in The Athletic. US Women's national team, NWSL, Women's Soccer 2025 The Athletic Media Company
New York Times
6 hours ago
- New York Times
More changes coming to USWNT roster ahead of Sunday matchup with Ireland
U.S. women's national team fans can expect more change from Emma Hayes this weekend as the national team prepares to face Ireland for the second time in four days in Cincinnati. The U.S. women's head coach told reporters in a brief media availability on Saturday that she will continue making changes with the roster, keeping with her theme of testing the depth of the national team's player pool. Advertisement The team continues its three-game week with the second of back-to-back friendlies against Ireland at TQL Stadium on Sunday afternoon. The team then heads to Washington, D.C., where they face continental rival Canada on Wednesday at Audi Field. When asked what Hayes will look for in her team during this window, she said: 'Progress, always. 'With that, when you play the same opponent twice in four days, is (seeing) how quickly you can learn. Not just about yourself, but when an opponent makes adaptations, how are you going to look to exploit that? So, (looking at those) details, looking for those things, particularly with the fact that I'm going to be making changes tomorrow.' Changes have become the norm for Hayes, who has seen 21 players debut on the senior team since she took over as head coach of the program last year. The U.S. cruised to a 4-0 victory against Ireland on Thursday in a match that saw midfielder Rose Lavelle's triumphant return from injury as well as three debuts. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey of Seattle Reign FC and left back Lilly Reale of Gotham FC earned starts in Colorado. Reign defender Jordyn Bugg also earned her first cap, subbing on late in the second half for captain Naomi Girma. The three remaining uncapped players on the roster heading into Sunday include Angel City goalkeeper Angelina Anderson, who did not dress for Thursday's game, Seattle Reign midfielder Sam Meza and Kansas City Current defender Izzy Rodriguez. This current USWNT roster is without some of its veteran stars. Hayes chose to give European-based players the summer off, describing this rest as a necessary break from long seasons in Europe. This is especially important as the team looks ahead to World Cup 2027 and the Olympics in Los Angeles the following year. Girma, who plays for Chelsea, is the only European-based player on the roster. The remaining 24 players on the roster play in the NWSL. Advertisement The match on Sunday is also serving as a homecoming for Lavelle, who hails from Cincinnati. The veteran midfielder had been absent from the pitch for six months, recovering from ankle surgery. She had an explosive return with the U.S. on Thursday, recording a goal and an assist in her first game back with the team. 'I think the structure in the team has allowed her game to elevate another level,' Hayes said, 'and what we saw the other night was how much we've missed her, even in the few months she's been out.' But Hayes cautioned that Lavelle's time on the pitch will continue to be managed. In their first match against Ireland, the midfielder was subbed off in the 59th minute. 'I have to, again, proceed with a bit of caution, because she's just coming back, so it's a really tight turnaround, and I'm going to have to manage things properly tomorrow for her,' Hayes said. 'But we're delighted to have her back.' (Photo of Avery Patterson celebrating with Ally Senator and Rose Lavelle: Ron Chenoy / Imagn Images)
