The U.S. women’s national team and head coach Emma Hayes will step into a high-stakes match on Saturday. The USWNT and Japan will kick off the Olympic knockout rounds as the sides will compete in the quarterfinals. The winner will go on to the semifinals and meet the winners of Canada and Germany.
The Stars and Stripes have a long history against Japan and Saturday’s quarterfinal will be the 41st all-time meeting between the old rivals. The two teams have faced each other in three previous world championships, with Japan victorious during the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup and the United States as champions during the 2012 London Games and 2015 World Cup.
Here’s everything you need to know about the upcoming match:
Viewing information
- Date: Saturday, Aug. 2 | Time: 9 a.m. ET
- Location: Parc des Princes — Paris, France
- TV: USA Network, Telemundo | Live stream: Fubo (try for free)
- Odds: USWNT -150; Draw +320; Japan +370
USWNT lineup projection
USWNT starting XI: Naeher, Fox, Girma, Sonnett, Dunn, Albert, Horan, Lavelle, Smith, Swanson, Rodman
Storylines
USWNT: Head coach Emma Hayes told media in France that she’s waiting till the last possible moment to make any roster decisions regarding defender Tierna Davidson. She sustained a knee contusion against Germany and was unavailable against Australia. Emily Sonnett has slotted into the backline in her place, and Hayes is also using caution with forward Jaedyn Shaw who has been out with a leg injury since the team arrived in France. Croix Bethune remains an active member of the roster in Shaw’s place, and Hayes is defending her rotation choices heading into the knockout rounds.
The piling-up injuries, and yellow card accumulation to midfielder Sam Coffey, will likely force Hayes’ hand at making adjustments to her preferred starting lineup. But don’t expect. much on the attacking line, Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman have emerged as the USWNT’s best weapons — the trio scored nine goals over three games against Olympic competition
Japan: Former 2011 World Cup champions and Olympic runners-up in 2012, the program elevated its status as a contender once again after an impressive 2023 World Cup. Head coach Futoshi Ikeda has a strong roster that’s primarily layered with young athletes and players in their prime. Veteran Saki Kumagai is the lone representative from the 2011 World Cup winning roster and converted a penalty kick against Nigeria to help seal second place in the group.
But Japan’s ability to be technical, patient, and physical when needed makes them a tough opponent. They’re also very clinical and have six different goal scorers in the tournament and can connect at any moment.
Prediction
The two teams have played to narrow scorelines in recent meetings so look for more of the same. It’s the elimination rounds and there will be an opening half where there are stretches of methodical play, but both sides will find the back of the net when they choose their moments of attack. Pick: USWNT 2, Japan 1
