The U.S. Women’s National Team (USWNT) secured a crucial 2-1 victory over Australia in the SheBelieves Cup at State Farm Stadium on Sunday. The win sets up a high-stakes clash against Japan for the tournament title on Wednesday.
A lightning-fast goal from Lynn Biyendolo in the opening minute gave the U.S. an early advantage, and debutant Michelle Cooper doubled the lead in the second half. Despite a late surge from the Matildas, highlighted by Michelle Heyman’s header in the 80th minute, the American squad held firm to claim the win.
USWNT Displays Dominance Despite Squad Changes
Head coach Twila Kilgore made 11 changes to the starting lineup following the 2-0 victory over Colombia. Despite the adjustments, the U.S. maintained control for most of the game, showcasing both attacking strength and defensive resilience.
Biyendolo wasted no time making an impact, scoring just seconds into the match after a pinpoint assist from Jaedyn Shaw. The Matildas struggled to find their rhythm early on, with the U.S. consistently pressing high and creating multiple goal-scoring opportunities.
Key Moments from the Match
First Half:
- 1’ – Goal! USWNT 1-0 Australia: Lynn Biyendolo taps in a low cross from Shaw to open the scoring.
- 8’ – Disallowed Goal: Biyendolo finds the net again but is flagged offside.
- 16’ – Close Call: Biyendolo forces Teagan Micah into a crucial save.
- 42’ – Australia Responds: Hayley Raso and Caitlin Foord create chances but fail to convert.
Second Half:
- 49’ – Defensive Mix-Up: A near own-goal for the U.S. as a miscommunication almost gifts Australia an equalizer.
- 68’ – Goal! USWNT 2-0 Australia: Michelle Cooper scores her first international goal after a well-worked move with Allyson Sentnor.
- 80’ – Goal! Australia 1-2 USWNT: Michelle Heyman heads in a perfect cross from Raso to bring the Matildas back into the game.
- 88’ – Last-Minute Heroics: A stunning save from Micah denies Sentnor, keeping Australia’s hopes alive.
- 90+4’ – Full Time: The U.S. withstands Australia’s late pressure to seal the win.
USWNT’s Path to SheBelieves Cup Glory
With both the U.S. and Japan sitting on six points, Wednesday’s final showdown will determine the SheBelieves Cup champion. The Japanese squad holds a superior goal difference (+7 to the USA’s +3), meaning a draw would favor them.
Tournament Standings
| Position | Team | Games Played | Points | W-D-L | Goal Difference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Japan | 2 | 6 | 2-0-0 | +7 |
| 2 | USA | 2 | 6 | 2-0-0 | +3 |
| 3 | Australia | 2 | 0 | 0-0-2 | -5 |
| 4 | Colombia | 2 | 0 | 0-0-2 | -5 |
How to Watch USA vs. Japan
The final match of the SheBelieves Cup will take place on Wednesday, February 28, at 5 p.m. ET. Fans can watch live on TBS (English) and Universo (Spanish) or stream the game via Sling, Max, Peacock, and Fubo.
The USWNT demonstrated depth and resilience, despite fielding an experimental lineup against Australia. With their sights now set on Japan, the team will need another strong performance to secure the SheBelieves Cup trophy.
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