SheBelieves Cup: USWNT defeat Colombia, Japan downs Australia in Houston

HOUSTON – USA and Japan started the SheBelieves Cup with victories as the annual tournament kicked off its 2025 edition on Thursday at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston, Texas.

Ally Sentnor scored her first goal and acquired her first start with the United States women’s national team. Mina Tanaka scored a brace for Japan in the opening match.

USA 2, Colombia 0

The U.S. women’s national team earned a 2-nil win against Colombia thanks to goals from Catarina Macario (33′) and Ally Sentnor (60′). Sentnor was named the Woman of the Match.

Emily Sonnett was honored prior to kickoff for reaching 100 USWNT appearances, the 45th player to accomplish the feat, and wore a captain’s armband commemorating the occasion.

Houston Dash players Jane Campbell and Yazmeen Ryan featured in the U.S. starting XI at the NWSL club’s home stadium. Campbell kept a clean sheet while Ryan assisted the opening goal. They became the first Dash duo to start for the USWNT in Houston since Carli Lloyd and Morgan Gautrat in February 2016 (source: Opta).

Defenders Tara McKeown, Gisele Thompson, and forward Michelle Cooper earned their first appearances with the senior national team.

Japan 4, Australia 0

Japan earned a 4-nil victory against Australia to take first place out of the gate.

Mina Tanaka scored in the 6th and 32nd minutes to open the scoring. Tanaka assisted Japan’s third goal, struck by Maika Hamano in the 52nd minute, before Moeka Minami put a bow on the victory in the 75th.

A total attendance of 15,043 spectators was reported by U.S. Soccer. The 2025 SheBelieves Cup continues on Sunday in Glendale, Arizona before concluding on Wednesday in San Diego, California.