Hayes defends team selection for USWNT´s defeat to Japan

Emma Hayes cited development and preparation as her reasoning for making 11 changes to her United States team that lost 1-0 to Japan at Lumen Field.

The USWNT continued their three-game series with Japan on Tuesday, having won the first match 2-1 thanks to goals from Rose Lavelle and Lindsey Heaps.

However, Hayes’ side saw their 10-match winning run come to an end here, with Maika Hamano’s brilliant 27th-minute finish proving to be the difference between the two sides.

It was a game that saw the USWNT edge the expected goals (xG) battle with a total of 1.65 from their 12 shots to Japan’s 1.01 from nine attempts, five of which were on target.

Hayes chose to name a completely different starting line-up for the second game of the series, with Claire Hutton captaining the side who had an average age of just 24.

Lilly Reale, Avery Patterson, Lily Yohannes, Jaedyn Shaw, Olivia Moultrie and Ally Sentnor were among the other young players to start from the off, and Hayes stood by her choice to give them a chance to impress.

“Listen, when you’ve got eight seniors on the field, these things are a little easier,” Hayes told reporters.

“I’m a developer of players, and they need to go through these things.

“It’ll get us one step closer to where we are, but we cannot always simply play just for the result. But yes, we don’t like to lose.”

Final from Seattle.

Next up, Denver on April 17th. pic.twitter.com/EhHD976XJL

— U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 15, 2026

Hayes did turn to her bench just after the hour, with Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Gisele Thompson and Tierna Davidson all coming on in positions at both ends of the pitch.

But the USWNT were unable to find an equaliser, with Heaps’ late header, which was saved comfortably by Akane Okuma, the closest they came to restoring parity.

It was just Japan’s third win over their opponents, while it was Hayes’ second defeat to them, having also lost in the She Believes Cup last year.

When asked about the difficulty in preparing for the same team in such proximity, Hayes compared to her time in charge of Women’s Super League side Chelsea.

“I always felt when I was coaching in the Champions League, if you won the first game, the second one was always tougher, because the losing team always, they study their things that they need to do better,” Hayes added.

“I think being able to handle different environments, different weather patterns, we’re going to altitude now, it’s preparation for major tournaments, so I think they’re important.

“If we had picked a lesser opponent, and I’d have sat here and said ‘What a great night, we won by multiple scorelines,’ I’m sure I’d feel good, and I’d fill your columns with lots of things that further enhance the reputation of the team, but I don’t believe in it.

“When you can push yourself to play against the very best opponents in every situation, that is how you improve.”