Overview
- The United States beat Japan 3-0 on Friday in Commerce City, Colorado, with goals from Naomi Girma, Rose Lavelle and Kennedy Wesley to clinch the series 2-1.
- Halftime substitute Kennedy Wesley set up Girma’s 47th-minute header and then scored her first international goal off a corner in the 64th minute.
- The U.S. controlled more than 65% possession and outshot Japan 15–5, turning sustained pressure into three goals in a 17-minute burst after halftime.
- Hayes framed the three-match set as a roster check, fully rotating in Tuesday’s 1-0 defeat that snapped a 10-game win streak before deploying a stronger blend to close out the series.
- Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey made three saves for the shutout on a near-freezing night with snow cleared from the field, underscoring a polished response against the reigning Asian champions.