The United States women’s national team defeated Japan, 4-2, in the teams’ first match of the 2018 Tournament of Nations. Alex Morgan led the U.S. with a hat trick, followed by a single from Megan Rapinoe. Mina Tanaka and Moeno Sakaguchi scored for Japan.
Morgan put the U.S. in the lead in the 18th minute thanks to a central run by Christen Press, whose through ball found Megan Rapinoe in stride on the near side. Rapinoe one-timed a cross for Morgan, who easily knocked her shot past Japanese goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
But the U.S. would enjoy their lead for less than two minutes, as Japan’s Mina Tanaka beat all four of the American defenders before chipping netminder Alyssa Naeher for the equalizer.