The USWNT didn't win its sixth straight SheBelieves Cup, but for Emma Hayes, that's not what this year is about.

Wednesday night of the SheBelieves Cup of 2025 did not belong to Emma Hayes’ USWNT. Tear-filled eyes, shoulders down, and defeat filled the air in the Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego when the Japanese soccer team crushed the USWNT with a 2-1 final score.

Japan handed the United States its first loss under coach Emma Hayes with a 2-1 victory Wednesday in the SheBelieves Cup title game.

Former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes lost her first match as manager of the United States as Japan won the SheBelieves Cup. The US were bidding for a record-extending sixth successive title in the annual round-robin invitational tournament.

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If the SheBelieves Cup was an opportunity to get a gage on Emma Hayes' rebuild, Sunday's win showed that the USWNT are right on track.

Hayes believes the key to a strong national team is a large pool of players with experience playing for both the senior team and at the U-23 level.

SAN DIEGO — Toko Koga scored early in the second half and Japan handed the United States its first loss under Coach Emma Hayes with a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in the SheBelieves Cup title game.

United States forward Michelle Cooper celebrates her first international ... So it felt great.” U.S. coach Emma Hayes changed her entire starting lineup following the team’s 2-0 victory over Colombia on Thursday in the tournament opener in Houston.

On Wednesday, the United States women's national team hit a first for the Emma Hayes era: It lost. Japan overpowered the U.S. to take a triumphant 2-1 win in the SheBelieves Cup. With the win, Japan lifts the tournament's trophy for the first time — and breaks a five-year SheBelieves win streak for the U.

Toko Koga scored early in the second half and Japan handed the United States its first loss under coach Emma Hayes with a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in the SheBelieves Cup title game. The Americans had not lost since last February when they fell 2-0 to Mexico in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.

SAN DIEGO — Toko Koga scored early in the second half and Japan handed the United States its first loss under coach Emma Hayes with a 2-1 victory Wednesday night in the SheBelieves Cup title game.