USWNT 1-0 Japan summary: score, goals, highlights, SheBelieves Cup 2023
USWNT 1-0 Japan: as it happened
A thoroughly enjoyable contest with Japan feeling they deserved more in a game where they were the better side in spells.
Once again Mallory Swanson was the difference between the sides as she added to her brace against Canada with a fine solo effort just before the interval.
USA top the group as they now head to Texas where they face Brazil on Wednesday.
FT in Nashville. The US hang on to secure another win with Mallory Swanson bagging the only goal of the game.
All Japan now with just seconds remaining.
Murphy saves again and Endo almost ties the game for Japan.
Looking like another 1-0 defeat for Japan.
Both games were solid performances from the Asian side but they simply failed to convert their chances.
Last minute of the 90 and Japan still threading passes looking for a way through....
We'll have 4 additional minutes.
Japan press again ...still probing for an equalising goal.
Horan off for the US as Korneick comes on
US break and Rodman fires straight at the keeper with two players free in the area. Poor decision making from the 20-year-old.
Japan go so close as Murphy saves well from a close range Hasegawa effort. Japan knocking on the door now.
Looking for that goal, that top be honest they probabbly deserve.
Last ten minutes of the contest in Nashville.
Japan hit the bar as Nagano rocks the crossbar with a fine strike.
Time running out for Japan and despite the subs. the visitors do look tired.
Massive cheers for Megan Rapinoe from the Nashville crowd. 198th cap for the OL Reign player.
Hatch and Rapinoe set to make an entrance / Swanson and Morgan make way
Endo and Maika on for Japan/ Sugita and Ueki leave the action
Japan escape as the US break and Horan finds Williams who clips the ball across the face of the goal.
US about to make two subs as Rodman and Sullivan are poised to make an entrance.
An hour of the contest gone and the US still hold the upper hand (slightly) in terms of possession (58-42) but lead in the most important statistic of them all with Swanson's first half goal.
Japan are not applying the same level of pressure as we saw in the first half as the US team have more time on the ball now.
Tired legs on the Japan side looking apparent.
The US have been uncharacteristically wasteful tonight as Fujino goes so close with a shot from inside the area. Too many sloppy passes in dangerous areas but Japan have failed to capitalise on the errors.
Japan, once again playing the ball around nicely but lacking ideas when it comes to the final third.
Japan start the second half.
Change for US: Huerta replaced by Sonnett
The teams are back on the pitch.... Only a matter of time before we see a series of substitutions.
A win tonight for the USWNT would see them edge towards another SheBelieves triumph and the result of the Brazil-Canada could shape the outcome of the group and title winner.
The whistle sounds and the US lead 1-0 with Mallory Swanson on target once again adding to her brace from Thursday night.
Solid from Japan who look neat on the bull but just need more punch in the final third.
3 minutes of time to be added
On the cusp of half-time, Swanson latches onto a upfield ball and the No. 9 controls beautifully and slots home.
The possession stats seem a little off with 58-42 in favour of the home side.
Shots on target for both teams reads a big fat 0 !
Five to go... Goal mouth and scoring chances are just the final thing we need to see today.
A bright game with the USWNT not having things their way with Japan industrious and just lacking the final ball.
Zambia, Costa Rica and Spain are Japan's group rivals at the 2023 World Cup.
The US will face Vietnam, Netherlands and a qualifier (tbc) at the tournament.
Just 15 minutes of the first half remain.... Japan still shading things with the visitors passing with poise and just need a little more finesse with the final pass.
Great strike from Ueki as her long range effort goes inches wide.
Japan well on top now !
Alex Morgan is free in the box but the veteran striker was offside... good call from the officials.
Decent game and certainly easier on the eye than Thursday's game which was so, so one sided.
More Japan pressure leads to another corner.
Possession after 22' is 50-50!
Japan win a corner as Fujino drives and shoots but the effort gets a deflection.
Japan press again after a gift from Huerta.
Two decent efforts and the US are facing very different opponents tonight with Japan creating plenty of danger.
It was actually a fine save from Ayaka Yamashita as the keeper clipped the ball onto the bar...
After a flurry of Japan activity in the first 5 minutes, the US are now in control as Williams drives the ball off the bar.
We saw three balls replaced on Thursday night due to a lack of correct pressure. Already, after 13 minutes two balls have been switched for the same reason.
The USWNT now finally enjoying some possession and use the ball wisely making Japan chase.
Japan are not giving the US a second on the ball with some impressive high tempo pressing.
First danger from the US as Swanson drives a dangerous ball into the box and it fizzes in front of the Japan goal mouth.
Japan enjoying the better start with the game being played in the US half. The visitors enjoying the bulk of the possession as Veki is a few feet offside as she breaks into the box to try and latch onto a cross ball.
Myrian Marcotte is tonight's referee.
The USWNT start the game and we're underway in Nashville.
The teams are on the pitch... USA in all white and Japan all blue.
Tonight's venue will also be under the spotlight next weekend as it will host the opening game for the 2023 MLS season as Nashville face NYCFC.
Decent crowd in attendance at Geodis Park. From an early glance it looks close to being sold out.
USA-JAPAN teams
A reminder of the team news ahead of tonight's SheBelieves Cup match between the USA and Japan.
The US employing a 4-3-3 formation again as Japan opt for a 5-4-1 formation.
Minutes away from kick-off in Nashville.
SheBelieves Cup after matchday 1
This is how things look in the table for the 2023 SheBelieves Cup. The US top the table by virtue of more goals scored.
The USA will wear their all white home kit today with Japan set to also sport their traditional blue home kit.
US-JAPAN: Matchday weather
It's a mild Sunday Tennessee afternoon with a temperature of 16C-61F.
No rain forecast during the game and ideal conditions for players and fans alike.
Japan XI
This is Futoshi Ikeda's Japan team for tonight's clash in Nashville.
Saki Kuymagi will earn her 131st cap and striker Mana Iwabuchi earns cap 86 for the Samurai Blue.
USWNT XI
Lindsay Horan captains the side. Two goal hero against Mallory Swanson leads the attack for the USWNT with Alex Morgan set to earn cap No. 203.
US-Japan: head-to-head
The USA will be playing Japan for the 39th time.
The USWNT has an all-time record of 29 wins -1 loss - 8 draws against Japan. The most recent meeting was at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, a 3-1 win in what was the final match before the Covid-19 shutdown. Megan Rapinoe, Christen Press and Lindsey Horan scored for the USA.
The last Japan win was back in 2011 as they lifted the World Cup.
SheBelieves Cup 2023: fixture list
After tonight's games, all four teams head for Texas with matchday three set to be played on 22 February.
USA vs Japan preview
Japan
Meanwhile, the AFCn side will try to amend their start of the competition with a win against the USA after losing their first match to Brazil.
Despite losing, Japan didn’t throw up the towel and created two great chances in the final 10 minutes of the match that could have given a draw or even three points to Futoshi Ikeda’s team.
The matchup between both nations will be the first since the March 11 meeting at the 2020 SheBelieves Cup, which ended in a 3-1 victory for the USA.
USA vs Japan preview
USA
The USWNT will be looking to record a second win in the SheBelieves Cup after defeating Canada in the opening game when they face Japan in Nashville.
The US side, who have won the last three titles, are sitting top of the standings with three points, together with the Brazilian squad, in the second spot.
The current FIFA Women’s World Cup champions are the favorites to come out on top, as the USWNT have won 13 of their last 19 meetings against Japan, with four matches ending in a draw.
USWNT looking ahead to 2023 WC
The USWNT will face World Cup debutant Vietnam, 2019 World Cup runner-up the Netherlands and the Group A Playoff Winner -- Portugal/ Cameroon -- in Group E at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place from July 20-Aug. 20 in 10 stadiums and nine host cities, five in Australia and four in New Zealand.
Big Nashville crowd expected tonight
The 30,000 Geodis Park in Nashville should be pretty full tonight with fans availing of the early Sunday kick-off to get along and support the current World Cup holders.
Despite falling to Brazil (1-0) in their SheBeleives opener, Japan looked bright and should offer a sterner test for the US tonight.
The game incidentally starts at 3:30 pm (ET) 12:30 (PT)
Vlatko Andonovski's side recorded a 2-0 win in their opening game with the scoreline not a fair reflection of the dominance they showed against a Canada side embroiled in a dispute with their FA.
Canada face Brazil after the US-Japan action.
Hello and welcome to our live coverage of the second matchday of the 2023 SheBelieves Cup as we move from Orlando to Nashville for the US-Japan game.