da bwin: The USWNT began their SheBelieves Cup semifinal match against Japan in nightmarish fashion, conceding inside the opening 30 seconds.
da realbet: Article continues below
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USWNT taking on Japan in SheBelieves Cup semisJapan score inside 30 secondsU.S. stunned by early goalWHAT HAPPENED?
Inside the opening 30 seconds, Japan's Kiko Seike was sent through on a blistering run, and she beat two different U.S. defenders before firing a low-driven effort towards the net. The ball went off the far post and into the back of the goal, shocking the U.S. in a home match at Mercedes Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia.
U.S. Soccer pundit Alexi Lalas labeled the beginning of the match as 'horrible,' calling out the defending and goalkeeping.
AdvertisementWATCH THE CLIPGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE
Both goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and left fullback Jenna Nighswonger will want that one back. The Gotham FC defender was caught out of position and forced centerback Tierna Davidson to try and recover quickly. As for Naeher, the USWNT veteran was slow to get down onto the ground in an attempt to stop the shot, and was likely caught off guard at the same time.
GettyWHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?
Both teams will advance to play Tuesday, it's just to be determined whether or not it will be in the championship or third place match. The other semifinal match pits Canada and Brazil together later on Saturday.