This article was last updated on April 16, 2022
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USA MEETS DEFENDING WORLD CUP CHAMPION JAPAN: After a solid 3-1 victory against Sweden in its first of two games at the Volvo Winners Cup, and after just one day of rest, the U.S. Women’s National Team is set for its third match of the year against 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Japan taking place at 7 a.m. ET on Monday, June 18, at Örjans Vall Stadium in Halmstad, Sweden.
The game is the U.S. Women’s second-to-last tune-up for the 2012 London Olympics, which starts on July 25 for the Americans with a huge clash against France. U.S. head coach Pia Sundhage brought 22 players to Sweden – the 18-player roster that will compete in the Olympics and four Olympic alternates. The Volvo Winners Cup champion will be determined on points with the tie-breakers as follows: 1) goal difference, 2) goals scored and 3) head-to-head. Sweden will face Japan on June 20 in Gothenburg in the last match of the mini-tournament.
U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION
GOALKEEPERS (3): Nicole Barnhart, Jill Loyden, Hope Solo
DEFENDERS (7): Rachel Buehler, Meghan Klingenberg, Amy LePeilbet, Heather Mitts, Kelley O’Hara, Christie Rampone, Becky Sauerbrunn
MIDFIELDERS (7): Shannon Boxx, Tobin Heath, Lori Lindsey, Carli Lloyd, Heather O’Reilly, Megan Rapinoe, Amy Rodriguez
FORWARDS (5): Lauren Cheney, Sydney Leroux, Alex Morgan, Christen Press, Abby Wambach
U.S. ROSTER NOTES:
Alex Morgan leads the U.S. WNT with 15 goals in 13 games and has recorded five multi-goal games this year.
Goalkeeper Hope Solo took over the team lead for minutes played this year with 1,125 following her five-save effort to defeat Sweden 3-1 on June 16. Captain and center back Christie Rampone is now second on the team with 1,096 minutes this year as head coach Pia Sundhage limited Rampone to 45 minutes to make several halftime subs against Sweden.
USA VS. JAPAN SERIES
The U.S. and Japan have played each other 28 previous times, with the USA posting 22-1-5 record. One of those ties included the eventual penalty kick shootout loss to Japan on July 17, 2011, in the FIFA Women’s World Cup after playing to a 2-2 draw through regulation and overtime.
The USA most recently played Japan to a 1-1 draw on April 1 of this year in the first game of the Kirin Challenge Cup in Sendai, Japan. U.S. forward Alex Morgan scored the equalizer with 17 minutes remaining to salvage the draw.
The U.S. and Japan, who are both preparing for the 2012 London Olympics, have faced each other three times in Olympic competition, with the U.S. winning all three meetings.
For more USA-Japan series notes, visit ussoccer.com.
IN THE RECORD BOOKS
Forward Alex Morgan became the 11th player to reach 15 goals during a calendar year during the USA’s 3-1 victory against Sweden on June 16. This feat has been accomplished 18 times, with Wambach achieving the mark four times.
Morgan’s 38 points this year (15 goals, eight assists) is the most since Natasha Kai also had 38 points, 15 goals and eight assists in 2008.
Midfielder Heather O’Reilly notched her 36th career assist on June 16 to now tie for ninth all-time on the USA’s all-time list with Michelle Akers.
IN FOCUS: JAPAN
Nippon Sakka Kyokai (Japan Soccer Association)
Founded: 1921 (Joined FIFA in 1929)
Head Coach: Norio Sasaki
FIFA World Ranking: 3
Best FIFA World Cup Finish: First Place (2011)
Best Olympics Finish: Fourth Place (2008)
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