SheBelieves Cup Semifinals Preview: USWNT vs. Japan, Canada vs. Brazil
Over a multi-year period, the SheBelieves Cup has become one of the premier international competitions in the world. This year, due to the FIFA calendar, the competition is going to run a little differently. Previously, the teams would play in a round-robin with three group-stage games each. This year, due to time constraints, the four teams will go straight to the semifinals with four total matches for the competition. Here’s our preview of the 2024 SheBelieves Cup Semifinals.
USWNT vs. Japan, Saturday: April 6, 9:30 AM PT/12:30 PM ET, TNT/Telemundo/HBO Max/Peacock
The USWNT is bringing in a similar roster from the CONCACAF Gold Cup with a few changes. Mallory Swanson and Catarina Macario are returning, which is huge for the USWNT.
Swanson was in some of the best form of her life before the injury, and Macario is a versatile player who can pass and score with the best of them. What’s unfortunate is the change in the format of the competition. If there were the three group stage games, we’d likely see 16-year-old Lily Yohannes make an appearance, as well as the newest PSG signing, Eva Gaetino. However, with the semifinal as the first game, the USWNT should put out the best possible roster as opposed to giving some younger players a chance.
Japan will be a great test for the USWNT as they just defeated Canada and Brazil in the Gold Cup. Japan has always been a tough team for the USWNT to play because of their tactical discipline and game planning. Now, the federation has started to ensure more of their national team players start playing in Europe or America. Almost half of their roster is currently in Europe in England, Italy, or Sweden. Saki Kumagai (Roma), Yui Hasegawa (Manchester City), and Riko Ueki (West Ham) are the three key players who are world-class.
The USWNT has been using a high press, and it worked in the Gold Cup. Japan has the technical players to pass or dribble out of the press, similar to what we saw the Dutch do to the USWNT’s press at the World Cup. That’s the key to this game ultimately. The USWNT has been allowing teams to possess, and then they’ll implement their press to force mistakes, which leads to more goal-scoring chances. Japan is one of the few teams in the world that rarely makes mistakes; they don’t beat themselves, and that’s why they’ve had such success in the past against the USWNT. I expect the USWNT to win but in extra time or penalties, this is going to be a close contest.
Canada vs. Brazil, Saturday: April 6, 12:30 PM PT/3:30 PM ET, HBO Max, Peacock
Canada vs. Brazil is the other SheBelieves Cup semifinal. These two teams might not seem like a rivalry because of their geography, but when these two teams come together, it’s always close. All time, Brazil has ten wins, and Canada has nine wins to go with nine ties. Rarely will you see two teams be this close in terms of record over a 30-game sample size.
Both countries have been alternating wins against each other, with Canada winning the last match 2-0. The biggest key for Canada offensively is Janine Beckie who has started off on fire for the Portland Thorns. Between Beckie, Jessie Fleming, Julia Grosso and a deep stable of strikers, this Canadian team is strong if they can score consistently.
If you’re an NWSL fan you’ll recognize a few names for Brazil. Marta, Luana, and Angelina are in Orlando, with Lauren playing for Kansas City. Brazil was on a 5-game winning streak before losing to the United States in the Gold Cup final, but Canada is easily the toughest team outside of the United States that they’ve played in 2024. Outside of Canada losing to the United States in the rain game, they’ve been in great form as well, with a 7-game winnings streak before the USA loss. I’m picking Canada with the hope that the United States and Canada meet in the final for an epic rematch.
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