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When the United States Women’s National Team takes the field at Lower.com on Tuesday night, it will be vying for its seventh SheBelieves Cup title in nine iterations of the event.
An annual four-team invitational tournament held by the United States soccer federation, the SheBelieves Cup has a four-match format with two semifinals, a third-place match and the final.
On Saturday, the United States defeated Japan 2-1 in a semifinal match in Atlanta. The 50,644 fans in attendance broke the record for the biggest crowd at a USWNT friendly.
“The energy in the stadium was unbelievable,” said USWNT interim coach Twila Kilgore. “I think the fans had a huge part in the game. … I think the players deserve this sort of energy around them.”
Kilgore is heading into her final match as interim head coach. After SheBelieves Cup, Chelesa FC coach Emma Hayes will take over as full-time USWNT head coach, with Kilgore moving into an assistant position.
Following the USWNT-Japan match, Canada beat Brazil in penalty kicks.
The last meeting between the USWNT and Canada was a little over a month ago in the first-ever CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinals, and also went to penalty kicks.
Behind the efforts of goalkeeper Aylssa Naeher, the USWNT outscored Canada 3-1 in penalty kicks and advanced to the final, where the U.S. defeated Brazil for the Gold Cup championship.
“Her (Naeher) experience helps us,” Kilgore said. “She’s another coach on the field, she’s another coach in training. She’s pointing out some of the things, the finer details, that we need to make sure that we hit and are making sure they don’t fall through the cracks.”
Based on the forecast in Columbus for Tuesday night, one of the biggest differences between the Gold Cup USWNT-Canada match and the upcoming SheBelieves match will likely be the weather.
Playing in San Diego, the conditions on the field were affected by a rainstorm, causing puddles and water to get in the way of the game play.
“Last game, you couldn’t put the ball on the ground and play at all,” USWNT defender Tierna Davidson said. “It was pretty much just a competitive, physical battle, but it wasn’t really much of a soccer game in that sense. So, I think we’re excited to have it be a little bit more of a game where we can see the quality of both teams.”
USWNT in 2024 SheBelieves Cup: ‘I knew I wanted to be here’
Going into the SheBelieves Cup, there were a few noticeable names, such as Rose Lavelle and Lynn Williams, missing from the USWNT roster due to injury. There were also players returning from injury, specifically Mallory Swanson and Catharina Macario.
At the 2023 SheBelieves Cup, Swanson scored the most goals throughout the tournament with four, including the lone two goals in the team’s first match.
In the USWNT’s opening match this year, Japan scored in the first minute, taking an early 1-0 lead off a goal from Kiko Seike. After multiple opportunities throughout the first half, it was Jaedyn Shaw who got the USWNT on the board at the 23rd minute to tie the match.
USWNT captain Lindsay Horan broke the tie in the 74th minute with a penalty kick, which was awarded following a foul against forward Sophia Smith.
Shaw, in particular, has stepped into the spotlight during international play this season, starting with the Gold Cup, where the 19-year-old scored four goals and was named “Best Player” of the tournament. Her success has followed her into SheBelieves Cup play.
“Jayden has always been a really good goal scorer,” Kilgore said. “I think finding your niche on this team and being able to score consistently is quite a feat, especially when you’re being integrated. And I would actually say, even though she’s here, she’s doing a great job, we’re seeing great things from her, and we’re really pleased, she’s still in the onboarding process.”
Still in her first year a part of the USWNT, Shaw is accomplishing feats early in the international career she had always dreamed about.
“I feel like even before I was watching the U.S. national team a lot, I knew I wanted to be here,” Shaw said. “I wanted to represent the U.S. at this level. So, I feel there are different moments, even for the SheBelieves Cup, I came to a couple of these games in Fresco growing up. It’s just really cool to now, not only be on this team, but play in this tournament also.”
SheBelieves Cup tickets
SheBelieves Cup at Lower.com Field is set to kickoff at 4 p.m. with the third-place match between Japan and Brazil, followed by the USWNT match against Canada at 7 p.m.
Tickets are available via TicketMaster starting at $40. One ticket covers both matches.
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