United States vs Japan: Preview, predictions, team news | OneFootball

The United States takes on Japan in the first quarter-final match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the USWNT could be without two key players.

The U.S. Women's National Team has looked better than ever under Emma Hayes at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. The Stars and Stripes topped Group B with all possible nine points, securing victories over Zambia, Germany, and Australia, and ended their group stage with nine total goals. Now, to keep their gold medal hopes alive, they must defeat Japan in their first knockout match.

Despite how dominate the USWNT has been this summer, they will face a tough test against Japan, who finished in second-place of Group C. Futoshi Ikeda's squad has only lost one game in their last five, and have a history of playing the USA close and hard. Japan fell to the USWNT back in April in the semi-finals of the SheBelieves Cup, and will be looking to avenge their loss.

Here's 90min's guide to United States vs Japan at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.

What time does United States vs Japan kick off?

United States vs Japan H2H record (last five games)

Current form (all competitions)

How to watch United States vs Japan on TV and live stream

United States team news

Samantha Coffey will miss the USWNT game against Japan. / John Todd/ISI/GettyImages

The United States could be without Tierna Davidson for the second consecutive game after the center-back suffered a leg injury against Germany. Emily Sonnett filled in for her injured teammate against Australia, and will have to do the same against Japan if Davidson still is not ready to go.

The USWNT will also be without Samantha Coffey, who will be serving a one game suspension for yellow card accumulation in the group stage. Expect Korbin Albert to take her place in the midfield.

United States predicted lineup vs Japan

United States predicted lineup vs Germany( 4-3-3 ): Naeher; Fox, Girma, Sonnett, Dunn; Lavelle, Horan, Albert; Rodman, Swanson, Smith

Japan team news

Japan finished in second-place in Group C. / ROMAIN PERROCHEAU/GettyImages

Futoshi Ikeda will not face the same problems Emma Hayes must deal with when it comes to fielding an XI for the quarter-finals. Japan's best players are fit and ready to play on Saturday, including Mina Tanaka, who already has proven she can find the back of the net at this tournament.

Japan's backline also caused massive problems for Brazil and Nigeria; it even took Spain, the gold medal favorites, 74 minutes to find a winner against the stout defense led by Roma teammates, Saki Kumagai and Moeka Minami.

Japan predicted lineup vs United States (5-3-2): Yamashita; Moriya, Takahashi, Kumagai, Minami, Kitagawa; Hamano, Hasegawa, Hayashi; Tanaka, Ueki

Matches between the United States and Japan are always close affairs, but if recent history is any indication, then the Stars and Stripes are bound to come out on top. Although Emma Hayes' squad is down two of their starters, they are still one of the best teams in the competition, and have yet to lose under their new manager.