With the eighth edition of the SheBelieves Cup well and truly underway, USA will be looking to cement their place at the top when they take on Japan.
Buoyed by their dominant display in a 2-0 victory over troubled Canada, USWNT will have enough spring in their step as they look to claim the fourth title on the trot. Head Coach Vlatko Andonovski is likey to name an unchanged side as USA aims to take full control going into the third and final matchday.
Enjoying an unassailable 83% win rate having won 10, lost once and drawn once in the series, USA will be out to maintain dominance against Japan.
Where to watch USWNT vs Japan
Kick off time SUNDAY, FEB. 19 AT 3:30 P.M. ET
Venue GEODIS Park, Nashville
TV channels TNT, HBO MAX, UNIVERSO AND PEACOCK
USA Team news
Striker Mallony Swanson, who grabbed a brace against Canada, is likely to keep her place in the frontline together with veteran Alex Morgan and Trinity Rodman.
The backline which consisted of Crystal Dunn out left, the central pair of Becky Sauerbrunn and Alana Cook as well as Emily Fox on the right is expected to continue in front of Alyssa Naeher who is expected to man the goal area.
In the middle of the park, the trio of Andi Sullivan, Lindsay Horan and Ashley Sanchez, who proved the “cheat code” against Canada in the absence of injured Rose Lavelle is also expected to continue.
Nothing is likely to change for Japan, and understandably so having went toe-to-toe with Brazil only to be undone by a 72nd minute strike by Kansas City Current striker Debinha. Midfielders Hina Sugita, Ueki and who pressed impressively hard for Japan against Brazil in the final 15 minutes Hinata Miyazawa, are set to keep their places as Japan look to spring a surprise against their much-fancied opponents.
Japan team news
Japan had a fair share of chances against Brazil with their best chances on the day arriving in the final 10 minutes of the match. The first one saw an attempt soar agonizingly over the bar and the second deflect down off the crossbar but not over the line as Brazil held on.
Livewire midfielder Aoba Fujino churned out a game-high five chances for Japan while goalkeeper Momoko Tanaka registered three saves on the day as she stood firm in goal.
Here are the predicted line-ups for the SheBelieves Cup third match.
USA PREDICTED XI (4-3-3)
Alyssa Naeher; Emily Fox, Alana Cook, Becky Sauerbrunn, Crystal Dunn; Andi Sullivan, Ashley Sanchez , Lindsey Horan; Trinity Rodman, 13-Alex Morgan (Capt.), Mallory Swanson
Japan PREDICTED XI (5-4-1)
Momoko Tanaka, Shiori Miyake, Saki Kumagai (Capt.), Moeka Minami, Hina Sugita , Risa Shimizu, Aoba Fujino, Yui Hasegawa ,Hinata Miyazawa , Fuka Nagano, Riko Ueki.
