The U.S. women’s national team is undefeated in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup but sit in second place behind Japan with a final game between the two sides on Wednesday. The USWNT will face what is arguably their most difficult opponent this tournament against Japan and a trophy is on the line for SheBelieves Cup final matchday. Japan lead the competition with six points and a plus-7 goal differential.
Even with the high stakes, coach Emma Hayes laid out clear objectives ahead of the tournament. SheBelieves Cup games are the first competitive matches for the program in 2025. After two games, the squad is ticking off the checklist with two victories to start the year.
Here’s what’s been working for the team so far
Player rotation
While there’s always a possibility of too much change all at once being a disruption rather than a benefit, that’s not at all the case when it comes to Hayes expanding the player pool. The head coach played an entirely different starting lineup in game two against Australia from the eleven players who opened the tournament against Colombia.
“Well, the objectives for the camp, for us, was to deepen the playing pool by giving opportunities to less experienced players in high-pressure…
