Commerce City, CO– In the final game of three against Japan, the USWNT got their first clean sheet and second win of the series. It took until the second half for the goals to start coming, but the USWNT took advantage of their chances to win 3-0 on the night.
It was a strong lineup from the United States, with both Colorado natives getting the start. Lindsey Heaps got the captain’s armband, and Sophia Wilson led the line up front. There were many changes from the second game of this three-legged tie, but not many from the first leg. Emma Hayes opted to go strong, rotation, and then finish strongly in Commerce City.
Japan did more or less the same as the United States. They fielded a team similar to leg one. They did start Denver Summit midfielder, Yuzuki Yamamoto.
The first half did not have too many chances for either side. The USWNT came close twice. An acrobatic shot by Wilson was saved, and the following header by Naomi Girma should have been better. Claire Hutton also hit the bar with a long shot later in the half.
The second half started with a bang, however. An early USWNT corner found the head of halftime sub Kennedy Wesley. She headed it back towards the goal, and Naomi Girma got to it to make it 1-0 just minutes into the second half.
The USWNT quickly made it 2-0 through Rose Lavelle, as the striker was put through on goal. She calmly slotted it home, and just ten minutes into the second half, the USWNT had a two-goal lead.
And it wasn’t long before it was three, and it was the halftime substitute, Kennedy Wesley. Her first international goal came from another corner. It was poorly dealt with by Japan, as the ball just floated to Wesley’s foot. The defender did well to steer it home and made it a goal and an assist in just 20 minutes.
That was all the USWNT needed to get the win, as it finished 3-0 to the hosts. The US was able to convert their possession into purpose in the second half and found a good way to attack Japan’s defense. Set pieces. Two corners turned into goals for the US.
“Yeah, I think we’ve been really clear what’s important to us, and the process is always of the highest order. Have we made progress in these three games? Million percent,” Emma Hayes said post-match.
Kennedy Wesley’s Night
Kennedy Wesley only came on at halftime and played for 45 minutes, but it was her night by the end of it. The center back, in her fifth cap, got her first international assist on the first goal, and first international goal on the final goal of the night. Both were off of corners. Head coach Emma Hayes said, “ I think she learned a lot from game one to game three, and she’s really good aerially. The team has been set the challenge to be better from set pieces. And very happy for her, especially, to come in the game off the back of a really good 45 minutes.”
Her teammates were ecstatic for her after the game. Rose Lavelle said, “So exciting, I think it’s so exciting anytime someone gets their first goal. Kennedy is such a great person and teammate. We are so happy for her.”
She will be back in Colorado soon as her San Diego Wave will face off against the Denver Summit at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in a week’s time. When asked about her return to Colorado, Wesley said, “I’m excited, this field has good memories, hopefully we can keep the good vibes going in San Diego.”
Colorado Kids Come Home
Two Colorado natives made the start for the USWNT. Sophia Wilson and Denver Summit’s own Lindsay Heaps made their return to Colorado. While neither got on the scoresheet, they helped propel the side to an impressive victory. “It felt really good. It was freezing. I didn’t miss that about Colorado. But the fans showed up regardless; it was a great environment,” Sophia Wilson told the media.
“It brings out the little girl in me, because I have so many great memories here.”
It is always a special night for those two when they get to play in Colorado. Lindsay Heaps told the media, “I’m a very sensitive person, so I get a little emotional [returning to Colorado]. To see my home state fans, to see my family in the crowd, Denver Summit fans. You say it’s actually real, you don’t have that feeling until you are here.”
Lindsay Heaps especially will resonate with the home crowd, as the midfielder will join the Denver Summit after the European season ends. Emma Hayes had some great words to say about the inbound player. “You’re getting a winner. And she’ll drive standards every day. She will be relentless with it. She’ll make sure that the group doesn’t drop off. She’s elite, she’s a top pro. She’s got all of them habits from playing in Europe, Champions League, World Cups, Olympics, she’s elite.”
Taking Advantage of Chances in the Second Half
The USWNT could not find the opener in the first half, with Japan proving hard to break down. But the game opened up in the second half, and so did the goals. Goalscorer Rose Lavelle said, “We felt ok about the first half, but the messaging was that we needed to finish our chances. We are continuing to push to be really efficient in front of the goal. I think we were able to do that in the second half.”
Sophia Wilson said, “We were just patient, we kept doing what we were doing in the second half. We were playing good all around, we just needed to get that final piece. It’s going to be challenging against a challenging opponent like Japan. We knew the goals would come; it was just a matter of time.”
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Katherine Ammon 
Matt Pollard 