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Starting lineup of US veterans beats Japan 2-1
Apr 11, 2026; San Jose, California, USA; United States midfielder Rose Lavelle (16) reacts after scoring a goal against Japan during the first half at PayPal Park. Mandatory Credit: Darren Yamashita-Imagn Images

Starting lineup of US veterans beats Japan 2-1

Originally posted on The Equalizer  |  Last updated Apr 11, 2026 9:02 PM ET

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes has been experimenting with the roster for months. But on Saturday, April 11, as the USWNT prepared to take on Japan for the first of three friendlies this month, Hayes rolled out a starting roster of reliable national team veterans. Starting for the team included captain Lindsey Heaps, Rose Lavelle making her 100th career start for the national team, and Sophia Wilson in her first appearance with the national team since giving birth in 2025.

The United States got off to a strong start, as Lavelle found the back of the net in the 8th minute. A ball that originally started as a set piece from Sam Coffey found Lavelle’s feet, and she was able to flick it in the goal to put the U.S. on the board early. It was not only Lavelle’s 28th career goal, but the seventh time in her last eight starts for the USWNT where she has scored or assisted a goal.

The U.S. held a 1-0 lead through halftime. Early in the second half, Heaps doubled the U.S.’s lead, scoring her 40th goal for the national team. She was assisted by none other than Lavelle.

Later in the game, Japan was able to pull one back when Riko Ueki scored in the 61st. The ball bounced across a few heads of the Japanese team, until Ueki landed it over goalkeeper Claudia Dickey’s head. That would be the last goal of the game, though, and by full time, the U.S. comfortably secured the 2-1 win.

Various subs made it into the game, such as Michelle Cooper and Ally Sentnor (in for Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, repsectively) in the 67th minute. Later on, Claire Hutton and Emma Sears also subbed in for Heaps and Alyssa Thompson, respectively. The younger players held down the fort for the United States, but it was the veterans who led the team to victory on Saturday. Through all of Hayes’s productive experimentation, there remain a few players who just can’t be replaced.




This article first appeared on The Equalizer and was syndicated with permission.

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