The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) secured a 2-1 victory over Japan in San Jose, California, with midfielder Rose Lavelle scoring in her 100th start and assisting Lindsey Heaps for the game-winner, marking Heaps' 40th international goal. Despite Japan having more total shots (12-9), the USWNT dominated possession with over 60% and controlled the match effectively. Head coach Emma Hayes plans to implement significant changes to the starting lineup for their next encounter in Seattle, aiming to assess the depth of the squad as World Cup qualification approaches. Hayes emphasized the importance of giving less experienced players opportunities to perform against top competition. Players like Jameese Joseph and Claire Hutton, who have limited caps, are expected to feature more prominently as the team prepares for future challenges. Hutton expressed her eagerness to learn from the first match and adapt for the upcoming game, highlighting the unique challenge of playing the same opponent multiple times in quick succession.