USWNT vs. Japan, Round 3: Emma Hayes Enters Final Boss Mode

About this episode

The episode discusses the USWNT's recent friendly match against Japan and reflects on player performances and upcoming challenges.

Buy our scarves and more merch ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠at the xOG store⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ now! Join Patreon and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠use the code "XOGNEW2"⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ to get 50% off an annual membership! The final of the USWNT's cold, unpleasant friendlies against Japan concluded on a high, with a close-to-A-team squad taking down the Nadeshiko 3-0 in Commerce City, Colorado. Was Japan held back by altitude and sub-optimal personnel choices? Is Rose Lavelle the preferred option to defend from the front with Sophia Wilson? Did any player's stock rise higher than Kennedy Wesley's? The guys reflect on a week of highs and lows for the Stars & Stripes, and what comes next when they face Brazil in June. Like & subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ page and watch the first volume of our Anatomy of series! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Did we make an own goal? E-mail us at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠xog@xowngoals.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Art by…

People in this episode

Host: xpectedowngoals

Topics covered

• USWNT
• Japan
• soccer
• friendlies
• sports analysis

Keywords

• USWNT
• Japan
• soccer
• Rose Lavelle
• Kennedy Wesley
• friendlies
• sports

Sponsors

xOG store, Patreon

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: USWNT, Japan, TikTok, Instagram, megaphone.fm

Places: Commerce City, Colorado

More episodes of Expected Own Goals

• USWNT vs. Brazil Recap: Put Some Icy Hot on Those Red Cards! · June 12, 2026 · 50 min
• The NWSL Summer Break "Are They Real?" Draft, with Sara Ach & Arianna Cascone! · June 4, 2026 · 1h 57m
• NWSL Game of the Week: San Diego Wave and Orlando Pride Play to Type · May 28, 2026 · 23 min
• NWSL Week 9 Whiparound: Kansas City Current Surge, Angel City Frustrate · May 27, 2026 · 33 min
• PATREON BONUS: Champions League Final Preview — How Can Lyonnes Beat Barcelona?? · May 20, 2026 · 24 min
• NWSL Game of the Week: North Carolina Courage Wipe the Floor with Chicago Stars FC · May 19, 2026 · 23 min