United States vs Japan: Preview, predictions, team news

  • United States vs Japan kicks off on Saturday, Aug. 3, at 9 a.m. ET
  • The USWNT is undefeated under Emma Hayes
  • Japan finished behind Spain in Group C
The USWNT faces Japan in the 2024 Paris Olympics quarter-finals.
The USWNT faces Japan in the 2024 Paris Olympics quarter-finals. / Left: Alex Livesey / Stringer / Right: Koji Watanabe / Contributor
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The United States takes on Japan in the first quarter-final match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the USWNT could be without two key players.

The U.S. Women's National Team has looked better than ever under Emma Hayes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Stars and Stripes topped Group B with all possible nine points, securing victories over Zambia, Germany, and Australia, and ended their group stage with nine total goals. Now, to keep their gold medal hopes alive, they must defeat Japan in their first knockout match.

Despite how dominate the USWNT has been this summer, they will face a tough test against Japan, who finished in second-place of Group C. Futoshi Ikeda's squad has only lost one game in their last five, and have a history of playing the USA close and hard. Japan fell to the USWNT back in April in the semi-finals of the SheBelieves Cup, and will be looking to avenge their loss.

Here's 90min's guide to United States vs Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.


What time does United States vs Japan kick off?

  • Location: Paris, France
  • Stadium: Parc des Princes
  • Date: Saturday, Aug. 3
  • Kick-off time: 9 a.m. ET / 6 a.m. PT / 2 p.m. BST

United States vs Japan H2H record (last five games)

  • United States: 4 wins
  • Japan: 0 win
  • Draws: 1 draw
  • Last meeting: United States 2-1 Japan (Apr. 6, 2024) - SheBelieves Cup

Current form (all competitions)

United States

Japan

Australia 1-2 USA - July 31, 2024

Japan 3-1 Nigeria - July 31, 2024

USA 4-1 Germany - July 28, 2024

Brazil 1-2 Japan - July 28, 2024

USA 3-0 Zambia - July 25, 2024

Spain 2-1 Japan - July 25, 2024

USA 0-0 Costa Rica - July 16, 2024

Japan 4-0 Ghana - July 13, 2024

USA 1-0 Mexico - July 13, 2024

Japan 4-1 New Zealand - June 3, 2024

How to watch United States vs Japan on TV and live stream

Country

TV channel/live stream

United States

USA Network, Universo, Telemundo, Peacock, FuboTV

United Kingdom

Eurosport 5, discovery+


United States team news

Sam Coffey
Samantha Coffey will miss the USWNT game against Japan. / John Todd/ISI/GettyImages

The United States could be without Tierna Davidson for the second consecutive game after the center-back suffered a leg injury against Germany. Emily Sonnett filled in for her injured teammate against Australia, and will have to do the same against Japan if Davidson still is not ready to go.

The USWNT will also be without Samantha Coffey, who will be serving a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation in the group stage. Expect Korbin Albert to take her place in the midfield.


United States predicted lineup vs Japan

United States predicted lineup vs Germany( 4-3-3 ): Naeher; Fox, Girma, Sonnett, Dunn; Lavelle, Horan, Albert; Rodman, Swanson, Smith


Japan team news

FBL-OLY-PARIS-2024-JPN-NGA
Japan finished in second-place in Group C. / ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/GettyImages

Futoshi Ikeda will not face the same problems Emma Hayes must deal with when it comes to fielding an XI for the quarter-finals. Japan's best players are fit and ready to play on Saturday, including Mina Tanaka, who already has proven she can find the back of the net at this tournament.

Japan's backline also caused massive problems for Brazil and Nigeria; it even took Spain, the gold medal favorites, 74 minutes to find a winner against the stout defense led by Roma teammates, Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami.


Japan predicted lineup vs United States

Japan predicted lineup vs United States (5-3-2): Yamashita; Moriya, Takahashi, Kumagai, Minami, Kitagawa; Hamano, Hasegawa, Hayashi; Tanaka, Ueki


United States vs Japan score prediction

Matches between the United States and Japan are always close affairs, but if recent history is any indication, then the Stars and Stripes are bound to come out on top. Although Emma Hayes' squad is down two of their starters, they are still one of the best teams in the competition, and have yet to lose under their new manager.

Prediction: United States 2-1 Japan