Wesley stars as USWNT beats Japan 3-0 in the series decider

The United States women’s national team put in an impressive second-half performance to beat Japan 3–0 in a friendly, with substitute Kennedy Wesley scoring her first international goal and providing an assist.

After a goalless first half despite a 9-1 shot advantage, the breakthrough came immediately after the restart. Wesley, introduced at half-time for Tierna Davidson, headed the ball across goal to Naomi Girma and finished from close range in the 47th minute.

Head coach Emma Hayes credited the team’s intensity after the break, suggesting the shift in momentum left Japan with little room to recover.

The second goal came in the 56th minute, when Trinity Rodman took advantage of a turnover in midfield and released Rose Lavelle, who drove through the center and fired home. Lavelle’s contribution continued a strong run of form, with the midfielder now involved in ten goals in her last ten appearances.

Wesley completed her striking cameo in the 64th minute, converting a volley from a Jaedyn Shaw corner. Looking back on the moment, Wesley described the delivery as ‘perfect’ and her finishing as instinctive.

In goal, Claudia Dickey made three saves to keep the clean sheet.

The match, played in near-freezing conditions at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park, concluded a three-match series between the teams. The United States had won the opener 2–1 before Japan responded with a 1–0 win, ending a 10-match American winning streak.

Japan entered the series in strong form, fresh off a dominant win at the AFC Women’s Asian Cup, underscoring the importance of the US response in the decider.

Published on April 18, 2026