Football

SheBelieves Cup: Japan Beat Hayes' USWNT To Lift Major Trophy

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. The U.S. had been unbeaten in the last 14 games against Japan. The Americans’ last loss to Japan came in 2012.

SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Japan team celebrate
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: Players for Japan celebrate after defeating the United States | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

Players for Japan celebrate after defeating the United States to win the SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Mina Tanaka
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: Japan forward Mina Tanaka poses with the MVP trophy | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

Japan forward Mina Tanaka poses with the Most Valuable Player trophy after Japan defeated the United States to win the SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Jaedyn Shaw
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: US midfielder Jaedyn Shaw reacts after a missed opportunity to score | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

United States midfielder Jaedyn Shaw, right, reacts after a missed opportunity to score against Japan during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Toko Koga
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: Japan defender Toko Koga celebrates with teammates after scoring | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

Japan defender Toko Koga, right, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the United States during the second half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Yuka Momiki
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: Japan midfielder Yuka Momiki celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

Japan midfielder Yuka Momiki, center, celebrates with teammates after scoring a goal against the United States during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Catarina Macario
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: United States forward Catarina Macario shoots and misses | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

United States forward Catarina Macario, left, shoots and misses as Japan defender Hikaru Kitagawa defends during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Ally Sentnor
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: United States forward Ally Sentnor celebrates her goal | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

United States forward Ally Sentnor, left, celebrates her goal against Japan during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Ally Sentnor
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: US forward Ally Sentnor scores a goal | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

United States forward Ally Sentnor, center, scores a goal against Japan during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Ayaka Yamashita
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita watches as a shot | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita watches as a shot from United States forward Catarina Macario just misses during the first half of a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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SheBelieves Cup womens soccer tournament final 2025 US vs Japan: Fireworks
SheBelieves Cup Final US vs Japan: Fireworks illuminate the field before the match | Photo: AP/Gregory Bull

Fireworks illuminate the field before the United States takes on Japan in a SheBelieves Cup women's soccer tournament match in San Diego.

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