Tottenham forward Maika Hamano scored the only goal as Japan ended the United States' 10-game unbeaten streak with a 1-0 victory in a friendly in Seattle on Tuesday.
Hamano's 27th minute curling strike into the top corner proved decisive in the second of three games between the two women's football powerhouses.
The United States dominated possession and had more shots but were let down by a lack of precision in front of goal before 36,128 fans at a rainswept Lumen Field in Seattle.
United States coach Emma Hayes rang the changes from the starting line-up which defeated the Japanese 2-1 in San Jose on Saturday, naming an entirely new starting eleven.
Asian champions Japan also made nine changes from the team beaten in San Jose, and started brightly, carving out a string of early openings before Hamano's goal.
The 21-year-old forward, who is on loan at Spurs from Chelsea, cut inside left back Lilly Reale before shooting into the roof of the net past goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
The third and final game in the series takes place in Colorado on Friday.
rcw/pst
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