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Sawt Falasteen - Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan

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Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan
Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan / Photo: Thearon W. Henderson - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP

Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan

SPORTS 11.04.2026

Rose Lavelle celebrated her 100th international cap with a goal and set up another as the United States beat Japan 2-1 in the first of two friendlies between the two women’s international football powerhouses on Saturday.

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Gotham FC midfielder Lavelle, the reigning US Female Player of the Year, opened the scoring after just nine minutes at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, after hooking in a lobbed cross from Trinity Rodman.

The 30-year-old attacker, one of the stars of the USA’s last FIFA Women’s World Cup victory in 2019, also played a key role in the home side’s second goal just after half-time.

A sweeping counter-attack ended with Lavelle steering a pass into the path of midfielder Lindsey Heaps who duly tucked away a low finish into the corner past Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.

Japan, who clinched their third Women’s Asian Cup title last month with a victory over Australia, rallied later in the half and pulled a goal back through substitute striker Riko Ueki in the 61st minute.

But despite a flurry of chances from the Japanese, the US defence held firm to clinch victory -- the 2024 Olympic gold medallists' 10th consecutive win under English manager Emma Hayes as they build towards next year's World Cup in Brazil.

The two teams will meet again in a second friendly in Seattle on Tuesday.

N.AbuHussein--SF-PST

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