The United States Under-20 Women’s National Team kept its FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup hopes alive Wednesday, battling Japan to a 2-2 draw in Lodz, Poland, behind goals from Ainsley McCammon and Alex Buck.
The result gives the Americans one point through their opening two matches in Group D following a loss to Italy, meaning Saturday’s group-stage finale against New Zealand has effectively become a must-win situation. The U.S. can still advance either by finishing second in Group D or as one of the tournament’s four best third-place teams.
Against a Japanese side that has finished in the top four in each of its last five appearances at the U-20 Women’s World Cup, the Americans created enough opportunities to come away with all three points.
After surviving several early chances from Japan, the U.S. began finding its rhythm and eventually broke through in the 35th minute.
Kennedy Fuller delivered an in-swinging corner into the six-yard box, where McCammon slipped into position and redirected the service into the net. It was McCammon’s first goal at the U-20 international level and gave the United States a 1-0 advantage heading toward halftime.
The Americans continued to create opportunities after the break. Fuller forced goalkeeper Uruha Iwasaki into a difficult save, while Buck nearly doubled the lead in the 60th minute after racing behind the Japanese defense. Iwasaki came off her line to deny the breakaway.
That missed opportunity became more significant in the 74th minute when Japan finally found its equalizer. Miyu Matsunaga won possession in the U.S. defensive third and found Natsumi Tago, who finished past goalkeeper Caroline Birkel to make it 1-1.
The response from the United States was almost immediate.
Just 58 seconds later, Linda Ullmark played Buck through the Japanese backline. The Washington Huskies forward raced into the penalty area and calmly slipped her finish underneath Iwasaki, restoring the American lead at 2-1 and recording her first FIFA World Cup goal.
Once again, however, the U.S. could not hold the advantage.
Konoha Nakamura produced Japan’s second equalizer in the 83rd minute, creating space inside the left side of the penalty area before bending a shot beyond Birkel and inside the far post.
The United States nearly grabbed a winner during stoppage time when Emeri Adames broke through the Japanese defense, but Iwasaki raced off her line to make another crucial save. The Americans finished with eight corner kicks compared to Japan’s three and put seven of their 16 shots on target.
Now the equation becomes considerably simpler: beat New Zealand and hope the other results and tiebreakers fall into place.
A U.S. victory would move the Americans to four points. They could potentially finish second if Italy defeats Japan and the U.S. overturns Japan’s current goal-difference advantage, or advance as one of the four best third-place teams.
Either way, the Americans gave themselves a chance.
After twice letting a lead slip away against Japan, Saturday will determine whether that chance becomes a place in the Round of 16.
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