Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan / Photo: Thearon W. Henderson - GETTY IMAGES NORTH AMERICA/AFP
-
Ireland's Lowry becomes first with two Masters aces
-
'Mental toughness' hailed after Reds snap 15-year Crusaders curse
-
Justin Bieber fans flood Coachella festival for headlining show
-
Saturday charge has Young in sight of first major title at Masters
-
McIlroy looking for answers after squandered Masters lead
-
McIlroy and Young share lead after Masters third round
-
Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan
-
Artemis crew urges unity on 'lifeboat' Earth
-
US, Iran talks extend into second day as strait showdown deepens
-
Former heavyweight king Fury outpoints Makhmudov, calls out Joshua
-
Former heavyweight king Fury outpoints Makhmudov on ring return
-
Two-time champ Scheffler surges up Masters leaderboard
-
McIlroy scrambles to hold off rivals and keep Masters lead
-
Milan's Serie A title hopes in tatters after shock Udinese defeat, Juve fourth
-
Easter truce between Russia and Ukraine falters
-
US warships transit Strait of Hormuz in mine clearance op
-
Playoff seedings on line as grueling NBA regular-season comes to close
-
Ngumoha's 'special' impact no surprise to Slot
-
Arsenal suffer major title blow as Liverpool earn vital win
-
US, Iran hold high-level peace talks in Pakistan
-
Over 200 arrested at pro-Palestinian rally in London
-
McIlroy tees off with six-stroke Masters lead
-
Record-breaking Bayern march closer to Bundesliga title
-
World champions England make winning start to Women's Six Nations
-
Yamal shines as Barca thrash Espanyol to extend Liga lead
-
Drean double sets Toulon up for Champions Cup semi against Leinster
-
Salah, Ngumoha ease Liverpool crisis with Fulham win
-
Arsenal suffer huge title blow as Liverpool earn vital win
-
Samson smashes hundred as Chennai notch first win of IPL season
-
Bayern Munich set Bundesliga record with 102nd goal of season
-
Milan's Serie A title hopes in tatters after shock Udinese defeat
-
Alcaraz and Sinner battle for No.1 spot in Monte Carlo final
-
In fiery speech, Pope Leo says 'Enough to war!'
-
Andreeva to face Potapova in Linz WTA final
-
Holders Italy, Britain into BJK Cup finals, USA knocked out
-
Arsenal suffer title 'punch' by Bournemouth, Everton hold Brentford
-
Drean double breaks Glasgow hearts as Toulon reach Champions Cup semis
-
Teen star Seixas seals Basque Tour triumph, August wins sixth stage
-
Scores arrested at pro-Palestinian rally in London
-
I Am Maximus emulates Red Rum to regain Grand National crown
-
Leverkusen sink Dortmund to bring Bayern closer to title
-
Planes fly from Beirut airport despite Israeli bombing
-
Pogacar dreaming of Monument clean-sweep
-
Arteta urges Arsenal to stand up after 'punch in the face'
-
Iyer leads Punjab's chase of 220 to down Hyderabad
-
Arsenal defeat blows Premier League title race wide open
-
Buffets, baristas, but no briefings: journalists frozen out of Iran talks
-
McIlroy's Masterpiece remains the buzz at Augusta
-
Sinner brushes past Zverev to reach Monte Carlo final
-
Arsenal suffer major blow in Premier League title charge
Lavelle marks 100th cap with goal in US win over Japan
Rose Lavelle celebrated her 100th international cap with a goal and set up another as the United States beat Japan 2-1 in the first of two friendlies between the two women’s international football powerhouses on Saturday.
Gotham FC midfielder Lavelle, the reigning US Female Player of the Year, opened the scoring after just nine minutes at PayPal Park in San Jose, California, after hooking in a lobbed cross from Trinity Rodman.
The 30-year-old attacker, one of the stars of the USA’s last FIFA Women’s World Cup victory in 2019, also played a key role in the home side’s second goal just after half-time.
A sweeping counter-attack ended with Lavelle steering a pass into the path of midfielder Lindsey Heaps who duly tucked away a low finish into the corner past Japan goalkeeper Ayaka Yamashita.
Japan, who clinched their third Women’s Asian Cup title last month with a victory over Australia, rallied later in the half and pulled a goal back through substitute striker Riko Ueki in the 61st minute.
But despite a flurry of chances from the Japanese, the US defence held firm to clinch victory -- the 2024 Olympic gold medallists' 10th consecutive win under English manager Emma Hayes as they build towards next year's World Cup in Brazil.
The two teams will meet again in a second friendly in Seattle on Tuesday.
L.Mason--AMWN
