You could be forgiven for talking yourself into it, because it just kept happening. No matter the stakes, no matter the players, the U.S. women’s national team simply didn’t lose under Emma Hayes. An Olympics gold medal and a slew of friendly victories (and a draw) made it seem like the U.S. could develop the next generation of talent in the three years between the Olympics and the 2027 World Cup, while still maintaining the results-driven dominance that has marked the program since its inception.
It was not to be. The U.S. were outscored and outplayed in San Diego on Wednesday in the closing match of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup, losing 2-1 to a Japan side that appeared to be in top form.
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