Key Takeaways
- The United States women’s national team (USWNT) will face Japan in a three-game series in April during the FIFA window.
- The matches will be played at PayPal Park in San Jose, Lumen Field in Seattle, and DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
- The series will provide the USWNT with a high-level test against one of the world’s top teams, with Japan being a longtime rival.
- The USWNT holds a 32-2-8 all-time record against Japan, with the two teams meeting in several major finals in the 2010s.
- The matches will be played at venues that are home to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) clubs and Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs.
Introduction to the Series
The United States women’s national team will return to action in April with a three-game series against longtime rival Japan during the FIFA window. The matches will be played on April 11 at PayPal Park in San Jose, April 14 at Lumen Field in Seattle, and April 17 at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. This series will provide the USWNT with a high-level test against one of the world’s top teams, and will be an exciting opportunity for fans to see the team in action. The USWNT has a long history of competition with Japan, and this series is sure to be highly anticipated.
The Rivalry Between the USWNT and Japan
The USWNT and Japan have a storied rivalry, with the two teams meeting in several major finals in the 2010s. The USA holds a 32-2-8 all-time record against Japan, with the two teams meeting in three consecutive major finals in the 2010s — including Japan’s penalty-kick victory at the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and U.S. wins at the 2012 Olympic Games and 2015 World Cup. Most recently, the sides met in the quarterfinals of the 2024 Olympic Games, where Trinity Rodman scored an overtime winner to secure a 1-0 victory. This rivalry is one of the most intense and competitive in international women’s soccer, and fans can expect a high level of play and intensity in the upcoming series.
The Venues for the Series
All three matches will be played at venues that are home to National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) clubs, with PayPal Park hosting Bay FC, Lumen Field hosting Seattle Reign FC, and DICK’S Sporting Goods Park hosting Denver Summit during its inaugural season. The Commerce City match will mark another milestone for DICK’S Sporting Goods Park, which will host a USWNT fixture in the first season of the expansion Denver Summit, who recently announced the signing of U.S. captain Lindsey Heaps, set to join the club this summer. The venues are also home to Major League Soccer (MLS) clubs — the San Jose Earthquakes, Seattle Sounders FC, and Colorado Rapids — all of whom have won MLS Cup titles. This will be a great opportunity for fans to see the USWNT play in some of the best stadiums in the country.
Coach Hayes’ Comments
USWNT coach Hayes welcomed the opportunity for the team to face Japan in a high-level test, even if the format is a bit unusual. "Japan is one of the best teams in the world," said Hayes in a statement. "I’m a big admirer of how they play and I have tremendous respect for their team and identity. They are a highly experienced group and are fully committed to their style of football. Playing the same opponent three times is unusual, but it presents a great challenge and a chance to test ourselves against a top-quality opponent." Hayes’ comments reflect the team’s excitement and anticipation for the series, and fans can expect a high level of competition and intensity.
What’s Next for the USWNT?
The USWNT will travel to their second of two January friendlies to face Chile in Santa Barbara, Calif. on Jan. 27. This match will be an opportunity for the team to fine-tune their skills and prepare for the upcoming series against Japan. The team will then face Japan in the three-game series in April, which will be a major test of their abilities and a chance to prove themselves against one of the world’s top teams. With the series against Japan on the horizon, the USWNT will be looking to use their upcoming matches to build momentum and prepare for the challenges ahead. Fans can expect a exciting and competitive series, and will be eagerly anticipating the opportunity to see the USWNT in action.