Lavelle and Heaps score to give USWNT a 2-1 win over Japan

SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — Rose Lavelle had a goal and an assist and the United States won the first of three matches against Japan, 2-1 on Saturday.

Lindsey Heaps also scored for the U.S., which has won 10 straight matches for the first time since 2023.

Riko Ueki scored for Japan. It was the first goal the United States had conceded since a 3-1 victory over Portugal on Oct. 26, a span of 866 minutes.

Lavelle scored in the ninth minute to give the United States the early lead. The goal came off a free kick from Sam Coffey that was sent to Lavelle from Trinity Rodman.

It was Lavelle’s 28th international goal and came in her 100th career start.

Heaps scored off a feed from Lavelle less than three minutes into the second half. It was Heaps’ 40th goal for the United States.

“Part of the halftime conversation was ‘Can we go control the ball higher up the field?’ We had certain moments of control lower down, but if we control the ball higher up the field, we're gonna get chances," Heaps said.

Ueki closed the gap for Japan on a header in the 61st.

“I think we had moments where we were really confident on the ball, especially in the first half, getting the balls in behind and the combination plays, winning the ball back and just having that fast transition. I think that was really important,” defender Gisele Thompson said. “But I think we have to keep doing that throughout the whole entire game.”

The next game between the teams is Tuesday in Seattle before the finale in Commerce City, Colorado, on Friday.

Sophia Wilson was in the starting lineup for the national team for first time after the birth of her daughter. She had not played for the U.S. since October 2024.

Japan was coming off its victory in the Women’s Asian Cup. Japan outscored its opponents 29-1 during the tournament and defeated host Australia 1-0 in the championship match.

That performance qualified Japan for the Women's World Cup next year in Brazil. The CONCACAF W Championship in late November is the qualification tournament for the United States.

Japan won the last meeting with the United States 2-1 in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final.

Heaps said the United States has evolved since that loss on how it controls the game, where it controls the game and the chances it creates.

“But I think also credit to how we finish out the game, because maybe a year ago we wouldn't have finished like we did," Heaps said. "We're keeping the ball out of the back of the net, and at the end of the day, that's the most important thing.”

AP soccer: https://apnews.com/hub/soccer

The United States' Rose Lavelle (16) jumps for the ball against Japan's Toko Koga during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Saturday, April 11, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The United States' Gisele Thompson (22) kicks the ball in front of Japan's Aoba Fujino during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Saturday, April 11, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The United States' Lindsey Heaps (10) celebrates after scoring against Japan during the second half of an international friendly soccer match Saturday, April 11, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

Japan's Momoko Tanikawa (19) brings the ball up the field against the United States during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Saturday, April 11, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

The United States' Rose Lavelle, middle, celebrates after scoring against Japan during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Saturday, April 11, 2026, in San Jose, Calif. (AP Photo/Jeff Chiu)

CHICAGO (AP) — Jordan Kyrou, Cam Fowler and Alexey Toropchenko scored in the second period, helping the St. Louis Blues beat the Chicago Blackhawks 5-3 on Saturday.

Jimmy Snuggerud and Dalibor Dvorsky also scored for St. Louis, which had dropped four of six. Jonatan Berggren and Tyler Tucker had two assists and Joel Hofer made 31 saves.

St. Louis (34-33-12) evened its season series with Chicago at two wins apiece. But the Blues were eliminated from playoff contention with the Los Angeles Kings' 1-0 victory over the Edmonton Oilers.

Ilya Mikheyev had two goals for last-place Chicago, which dropped to 3-9-3 in its past 15 games. Ryan Greene also scored, and Arvid Soderblom stopped 23 shots.

The Blackhawks (28-38-14) played without Ethan Del Mastro, who was scratched because of an unspecified injury. With Del Mastro sidelined, veteran forward Sam Lafferty was inserted into the lineup as a defenseman.

Blackhawks forward Frank Nazar left in the second period after he was hit in the face by a puck.

Chicago had a 2-1 lead before Toropchenko beat Soderblom on a breakaway 4:10 into the second. It was Toropchenko's fourth goal of the season.

Kyrou made it 3-2 with a power-play goal at 12:06, and a streaking Fowler scored on a drive to the net with 2:40 left in the period.

Dvorsky added his 12th goal 7:04 into the third, giving St. Louis a 5-2 lead.

Chicago paid tribute to the inaugural class for the franchise's Hall of Fame throughout the game. The family of Troy Murray, a former forward and team broadcaster who died last month, got one of the day's loudest ovations when they were shown on the videoboard.

Both teams are at home on Monday night. The Blues face the Minnesota Wild, and the Blackhawks play the Buffalo Sabres.

AP NHL: https://apnews.com/NHL

St. Louis Blues left wing Dylan Holloway (81) congratulates goaltender Joel Hofer (30) after defeating the Colorado Avalanche in an NHL hockey game Sunday, April 5, 2026, in Denver. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)