The USWNT vs Japan meet again on Friday, April 17, 2026, in the third and final match of their rare April series, with the rubber match set for DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. U.S. Soccer lists kickoff at 7:00 p.m. MT / 9:00 p.m. ET, and the series is level at one win apiece after the USA won 2-1 in San Jose and Japan responded with a 1-0 win in Seattle.
The USWNT Soccer team have won their first match against Japan, 2-1, on Saturday, but fell 0-1 to the recent Asian Cup winners on Tuesday. The USWNT vs Japan teams will face off for a third and final time on 18 April to conclude this international window.
The matchup has a real edge because it is only the ninth time the USWNT has faced the same opponent in three straight games, and both sides arrive with plenty of motivation after splitting the first two results.
This match marks the beginning of Claire Hutton’s career as she wears the captain’s armband from the start. Hutton is the youngest captain in modern USWNT history.
Japan also come in as the 2026 AFC Women’s Asian Cup champions, which makes this a proper high-level test rather than a routine friendly.
USWNT vs Japan Match Details, Date, Time, Predictions, Lineups & More
Table of Contents
- Tournament: International Friendly.
- Match Date: Friday, April 17, 2026.
- Time: 7:00 p.m. MT / 9:00 p.m. ET.
- Venue: DICK’S Sporting Goods Park.
- Location: Commerce City, Colorado, USA.
- Series note: This is the rubber match after the USA and Japan split the first two games 1-1.
The USA opened the series with a 2-1 win in San Jose, then Japan answered with a 1-0 victory in Seattle, where the U.S. made significant changes to the starting XI. That sets up a decisive final game in Colorado with both teams having already shown they can beat the other.
Team News and Analysis
USWNT
Emma Hayes named a 26-player roster for the April matches against Japan, with the group built around experienced players and plenty of attacking depth. U.S. Soccer’s roster page shows names such as Jane Campbell, Claudia Dickey, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, Naomi Girma, Sam Coffey, Lindsey Heaps, Rose Lavelle, Trinity Rodman, Alyssa Thompson, and Sophia Wilson.
The USA’s big advantage is that they have already used different XIs in the first two games, which means Hayes has a lot of flexibility for the finale. U.S. Soccer has also highlighted the Colorado homecoming angle for Sophia Wilson and Lindsey Heaps, adding a little extra emotion to the match in Commerce City.
Japan
Japan’s official squad for the U.S. tour includes Ayaka Yamashita, Chika Hirao, Akane Okuma, Saki Kumagai, Risa Shimizu, Miyabi Moriya, Moeka Minami, Toko Koga, Yui Hasegawa, Fuka Nagano, Hinata Miyazawa, Maika Hamano, Momoko Tanikawa, Mina Tanaka, and Riko Ueki. The team is led on this trip by caretaker head coach Michihisa Kano.
Japan have already shown how hard they are to play against in this series. Their win in Seattle came after a compact, disciplined defensive display, and U.S. Soccer noted that they arrived fresh from winning the Asian Cup and outscoring opponents 29-1 in that tournament.
Head-to-Head Record
The overall rivalry remains heavily in the USA’s favour, with U.S. Soccer noting that the USWNT’s all-time record against Japan is 32 wins, 2 losses and 8 draws.
Still, Japan won the most recent meeting before this series, taking the 2025 SheBelieves Cup title with a 2-1 win, so the recent balance has been much tighter than the historical record suggests.
USWNT vs Japan Starting XI Lineups
USWNT lineup XI vs Japan Women ( 4-3-3): Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Avery Patterson, Lilly Reale, Emily Sams, Lily Yohannes, Jaedyn Shaw, Ally Sentnor, Olivia Moultrie, Emily Sonnett, Claire Hutton (Capt.), Emma Sears
Japan Women’s lineup XI vs USWNT Women (4-3-3): Ayaka Yamashita; Risa Shimizu, Saki Kumagai, Moeka Minami, Toko Koga; Yui Hasegawa, Fuka Nagano, Hinata Miyazawa; Maika Hamano, Mina Tanaka, Riko Ueki.
Key Players to Watch
For the USWNT, Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps are the main midfield controllers, while Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman bring pace and end product.
For Japan, Yui Hasegawa is the engine in midfield, and Maika Hamano and Riko Ueki are the attacking names most likely to decide the match.
Match Prediction
This has the feel of a close, high-quality friendship where both sides know the other very well after two meetings already.
The USA have home advantage in Colorado, but Japan’s organization and recent form make this a dangerous fixture for the hosts. A narrow game looks likely, with the USA slightly better placed to edge it.
- Prediction: USWNT 2-1 Japan.
Where to Watch USWNT vs Japan
Where to Watch USWNT vs Japan
| Region | Broadcaster |
|---|---|
| USA | English: TNT / truTV / HBO Max Spanish: Westwood One on the radio. Universo & Peacock |
| Japan | Check local JFA listings for the official domestic broadcast and ABEMA |
When is the USWNT vs Japan?
The match is on Friday, April 17, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. MT / 9:00 p.m. ET.
Where is the match being played?
It will be played at DICK’S Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
What is the series score before this game?
The series is tied 1-1 after the USA won in San Jose and Japan won in Seattle.
Is this the final match of the series?
Yes, this is the third and final match of the April series between the two teams.
Who are the key players to watch?
For the USA, Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, Rose Lavelle, and Lindsey Heaps stand out; for Japan, Yui Hasegawa, Maika Hamano, and Riko Ueki are the main threats.
