Devin L. Wilber
International Friendly: United States vs Japan
Japan Rallies to Stun USWNT
BY DEVIN LAWRENCE WILBER
June 2nd, 2016
COMMERCE CITY, CO - Adversity. A word that has not been commonly used with the the United States Women National team as of late. After winning a majority of their last eleven matches in dominating fashion, the USWNT made it seemingly look easy to roll past their international opposition. So you could say it was definitely a shocker to many American fans as they watched Japan march down the field in stoppage time to score a heartbreaking goal to even the match in its final moments.
If there was one thing missing from Thursday's friendly at Dick's Sporting Goods Park, it definitely wasn't excitement or scoring. The two teams combined for six goals on the night, in front of a sold out crowd in Colorado. The match ended in a 3-3 draw as both teams swapped the lead throughout the the second half.
"We have a sick taste in our mouths", said USA Defender Becky Sauerbrunn, "It wasn't the way we wanted the match to end, so it will be good to play them again Sunday."
Over the past decade Japan vs USA has grown into one of the premier rivalries in the world. Both teams have been featured in the last two World Cup finals and in the 2012 Olympic Championship (2-1 USA), where the United States single lone loss came on penalties in the 2011 World Cup Final.
Japan came out on all cylinders and struck early in the match. The United States failed to squeeze in on defense, allowing Japan's Mana Iwabuchi to find a hole between US defenders Julie Johnston and Becky Sauerbrunn. Iwabuchi took full advantage of the opportunity, striking a strong left footed shot from outside the box into the far right corner, giving Japan a quick 1-0 lead in the 14th minute.
The United States found themselves in a state of shock when Japan capitalized again only eight minutes later. Coming off of a Japanese corner, the ball fell into the center of the box and at the feet of Yuki Ogimi, who then simply finished it off with a finesse shot to the bottom left corner.
Japan held possession of the ball at the beginning of the first half, allowing the United States little scoring oppertunites.
Desperate for any scoring opportunity the United States went on the offensive, after taking control of the ball, following the two quick back to back goals by Japan.
The U.S. offense finally woke up in the 24th minute when No. 2 Mallory Pugh shot a sharp cross through to No. 13 Alex Morgan for a strong strike, to bring the US Women within one, 2-1 Japan. The 17 year old, Colorado Native was making her first cap for USWNT, filling in for the injured No. 10 Carli Lloyd.
Both teams played frantic defense throughout the match, swarming the ball taking away many goal scoring opportunities. The score at the half was 2-1 Japan. This was the first time the United States found itself trailing going into the break, since the 2012 Olympics.
Japan racked up the fouls playing a very physical kind of defense, committing 14 fouls, while drawing two cards. They found themselves a man down in the 57th minute after Ogimi was sent off with a red card, following a incident where she slid studs up into No. 8 Julie Johnston.
The U.S. took advantage of their numbers in the 64th minute, after No. 17 Tobin Heath crossed to Morgan following a set piece situation. Morgan headed the ball in, out of the reach of the japanese goalkeeper, to even the score at two a piece.
The United States was not afraid to shoot, as they took a total of 19 shots, 6 on goal. Compared to Japan's 7 shots, with 4 on goal, it was truly a story of quality over quantity in the end.
Time winding down, the U.S. looked as though they had won the match after the late heroics of the Golden, Colorado Native. No. 20 Lindsey Horan found the back of the net with her header in 89th minute to give the Americans a 3-2 lead headed into stoppage time.
With another win in sight, fans already celebrating, the U.S. Women got complacent on defense, allowing Japan to quickly march right back down the field. With a minute left in stoppage time Japan hit the equalizer and broke the hearts of American fans everywhere, on a easy right footed strike by Kumi Yokoyama.
"We fought and fought throughout the match and finally took the lead late." said US Head Coach Jill Ellis, "but then we slacked a little on defense and lost some of our composure, resulting in another late goal for Japan. We'll hope to use this as motivation in our next match against them."
The USWNT now moves to 11-0-1 this year following the 3-3 draw and will take on Japan again on Sunday June 5.