U.S. U-17 Women's National Team Falls 2-1 to Japan in Chiba

CHIBA, Japan (July 6, 2026) – The U.S. U-17 Women’s National Team fell, 2-1, in the second of two matches against Japan during a training camp being held just outside of Tokyo.

This is the second match for the U.S. U-17 WNT since easily qualifying for the World Cup at the Concacaf Women’s U-17 Championship in Costa Rica last March, winning all three games in its group by a 32-0 goal scoring margin. These two matches served as preparation for the 2026 FIFA U-17 Women’s World Cup which will take place at four venues in Morocco from Oct. 17-Nov. 8.

At the World Cup the USA will face Samoa, a team from Africa and China PR. The African opponent will be the winner of Path 4 in the final round of African qualifying that features South Africa and Kenya. That team won’t be decided until July 12.

The U.S. opened the scoring in the 22nd minute. Midfielder Taylor Morrell advanced into space before playing a pass to defender Georgia Restovich on the right flank. Restovich combined effectively with Morrell and sent a pass back to the midfielder who received it in stride. Recognizing the movement ahead, Morrell delivered a line-breaking pass through the Japanese defense into the path of Gotham FC forward Mak Whitham. Whitham collected the ball inside the penalty area and drove a low pass across the face of goal, threading it between two Japanese defenders. Forward Gianna Hanf arrived unmarked at the far post, took one controlled touch to set herself, and finished into the back of the net.

Hanf’s goal would be the only goal for either team before halftime, but Japan would capitalize on a few U.S. mistakes in the second. Attacking from out wide, Japan defender Wara Shimizu beat Hanf down the right-hand side of the penalty area before crossing a low ball into the box. U.S. Goalkeeper Lola Ta stepped up to make the save, but the ball deflected off her knees and ricocheted into U.S. defender Anaiah Williams before going into the net for an own goal to tie it up.

In the 74th minute, Japan midfielder Fuki Ito chased down a long ball and drove towards the U.S. back line to start the push for their second goal. Williams blocked Ito’s first shot, but the deflection fell to the feet of Morrell and Mei Hanashiro inside the penalty area. Hanashiro reacted first, poking the loose ball past Morrell before sending the ball into the bottom right corner beyond the outstretched hands of Ta, for the game-winning goal.

These international matches are an important part of the Federation’s continued focus on the U.S. Way philosophy, which emphasizes increased programming for Youth National Teams to create more opportunities for young players to advance through the pathway to the senior National Team with the goal of representing their country at a world championship.

-U.S. UNDER-17 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT- 

Match: United States U-17 WYNT vs. Japan U-17 WNT

Date: July 6, 2026

Competition: International Friendly

Venue: Prince Takamado Memorial JFA YUME Field; Chiba, Japan

Attendance: 90

Weather: 75 degrees overcast and rain all second half

Lineups:

USA: 12-Lola Ta; 15-Georgia Restovich (2-Gigi Zuniga, 72), 4-Anaiah Williams (Capt), 14-Meila Brewer (5-Maddie Maves, 72), 3-Elena Vera (16-Venina Moodie, 46); 18-Taylor Morrell, 20-Khari Hontz (10-Mia Corona, 72), 8-Loradana Paletta (6-Grace Murray, 78); 17-Giselle Aguilar (7-Maddie DiMaria, 62), 17-Mak Whitham (9-Deus Stanislaus, 62), 13-Gianna Hanf (11-Amari Manning, 72)

Subs not used: 1-Avellina Saunders

Head Coach: Ciara Crinion

JPN: 23-Mikan Yamanaka (12-Riruha Wakatsuki, 63); 3-Wara Shimizu, 14-Misato Maeda (Capt.) (2-Sayana Oshita, 46), 5-Rura Motegi, 7-Anri Hamasuna (9-Sana Morota, 67); 8-Izumi Wakatsuki (19-Mei Hanashiro, 67), 20-Arisu Ota (22-Kokona Nomoto, 87), 18-Rara Higuchi (10-Harura Matsushita, 46), 16-Kotone Sato (13-Fuki Ito, 67); 21-Kanna Himuro (17-Runa Sumiya, 46), 11-Minori Sengoku

Subs not used: 1-Kou Kadowaki, 4-Himari Nishi, 6-Maho Kubota, 15-Keiko Kitajima

Head Coach: Sadayoshi Shirai

Stats Summary: USA / JPN  

Shots: 3 / 16

Shots on Goal: 3 / 11

Saves: 10 / 2

Corner Kicks: 0 / 11

Fouls: 5 / 1

Offside: 3 / 3

Misconduct Summary:

None

Officials:

Referee: Yurina Tazawa

Assistant Referee 1: Rina Iwasa

Assistant Referee 2: Sayuki Katsumata