The United States will face Japan in the first quarter-final match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the USWNT may be without two key players.
The US Women’s National Team looked better than ever under Emma Hayes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Stars and Stripes topped Group B with nine points, possibly beating Zambia, Germany, and Australia, and finished the group stage with nine goals. Now, to keep their gold medal hopes alive, they must defeat Japan in their first playoff match.
Despite the USWNT’s impressive streak this summer, they will face a tough test against Japan, who finished second in Group C. Futoshi Ikeda’s side have lost just one of their last five games, and have a history of playing against the USA. close and hard. Japan fell to the USWNT back in April in the semi-finals of the SheBelieves Cup, and will be looking to avenge their loss.
Here it is 90 min A guide to the United States vs Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
United States vs Japan H2H record (last five games)
Current form (all competitions)
|
United States |
Japan |
|---|---|
|
Australia 1-2 USA – July 31, 2024 |
Japan 3-1 Nigeria – July 31, 2024 |
|
USA 4-1 Germany – July 28, 2024 |
Brazil 1-2 Japan – July 28, 2024 |
|
USA 3-0 Zambia – July 25, 2024 |
Spain 2-1 Japan – July 25, 2024 |
|
USA 0-0 Costa Rica – July 16, 2024 |
Japan 4-0 Ghana – July 13, 2024 |
|
USA 1-0 Mexico – July 13, 2024 |
Japan 4-1 New Zealand – June 3, 2024 |
|
The country |
TV channel/live streaming |
|---|---|
|
United States |
USA Network, Universo, Telemundo, Peacock, FuboTV |
|
United Kingdom |
Eurosport 5, discovery+ |
The United States could be without Tierna Davidson for the second straight game after the defender suffered a leg injury against Germany. Emily Sonnett filled in for her injured teammate against Australia, and will have to do the same against Japan if Davidson is not ready to go.
The USWNT will also be without Samantha Coffey, who will be serving a one-game suspension for accumulating yellow cards in the group stage. Expect Korbin Albert to take his place in midfield.
United States predicted to face Germany (4-3-3): Naeher; Fox, Girma, Sonnett, Dunn; Lavelle, Horan, Albert; Rodman, Swanson, Smith
Futoshi Ikeda will not face the same problems that Emma Hayes has to face when it comes to getting the XI out of the quarter-finals. Japan’s best players are in good shape and ready to play on Saturday, including Mina Tanaka, who has shown she can score in this tournament.
Japan’s backline also caused big problems for Brazil and Nigeria; it even took Spain, the gold medal favourites, 74 minutes to find the winner against a strong defense led by Roma teammates Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami.
Japan predicted schedule against the United States (5-3-2): Yamashita; Moriya, Takahashi, Kumagai, Minami, Kitagawa; Hamano, Hasegawa, Hayashi; Tanaka, Ueki
Matches between the United States and Japan are always close, but if recent history is any indication, the Stars and Stripes will definitely come out on top. Although Emma Hayes’ squad are down to two starters, they are still one of the best teams in the competition, and are unbeaten under their new manager.
Prediction: United States 2-1 Japan
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