The United States knew going into Thursday night’s game vs. Japan that they couldn’t win the inaugural Tournament of Nations, but they finished off strong, with a 3-0 win for a second place finish in the tournament. Seattle Reign FC forward [**Megan Rapinoe**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/29vjl1iba9rz14yd1g9qi4pn9), Washington Spirit forward [**Mallory Pugh**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/dkk9sopglpjgnopxcxkn65gid) and Orlando Pride forward [**Alex Morgan**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/l28lqh3f3ojx6kk2wvvq6nyt) all scored goals to give the U.S. the victory at the StubHub Center in Carson, California. North Carolina Courage defender [**Taylor Smith**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/6z68ej070bws9x17xsmo4c4b9), who made her international debut in the first game of the Tournament vs. Australia, earned the first two assists of her international career in the match. Rapinoe opened the scoring in the 12th minute, once again on an assist from Chicago Red Stars forward [**Christen Press**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/bnxnrws4yintb6s76erzl9xw5). Press threaded a ball into the box for Rapinoe, making a diagonal run between two defenders. Rapinoe, the NWSL’s leading goalscorer, beat her last defender before slotting the ball back the other way with her right foot and past Japan goalkeeper **Ayaka Yamashita** to make it 1-0. [Empty Body] The pair connected for two goals on Sunday night in the comeback win over Brazil. The United States, which scored three goals in nine minutes late Sunday vs. Brazil, would take until the 60th minute to find the back of the net again. Smith sprung Pugh down the right flank with a perfectly placed pass. Pugh then dribbled into the box and calmly sent a left-footed shot into the back of the net to make it 2-0. [Empty Body] Pugh has three goals so far in her rookie season with the Spirit. Morgan made it 3-0 in the 80th minute, off another assist from Smith, for her first international goal of the year. After a nice pass from Courage midfielder [**Sam Mewis**](https://www.nwslsoccer.com/players/view/4tcmt910n2lj88n5m0aqoddcl) to pick out her North Carolina teammate, Smith sent a cross into the box towards Morgan, whose right-footed shot deflected off Japan defender **Aya Sameshima** on its way into the net. [Empty Body] Morgan scored her first goal of the NWSL season on July 15 in a 4-1 win for the Pride.

Match Highlights

Match Highlights