The stakes are in somewhat of a contrast with the reality, though -- win, lose or draw, this is far from the end of the road for a youth-focused version of the U.S., with today's game serving as more of a stepping stone than anything else.

The final match of the 2025 SheBelieves Cup is set for Wednesday night in southern California as the United States plays host to Japan to see who will take home the title. Each team comes into the contest with two wins in the tournament, though their outcomes have been different.