How Santa Clara Women’s Soccer Head Coach Jerry Smith Inspired USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes

Sports

Apr 20

At her press conference after the U.S. women’s national team’s game against Japan on April 11, 2026 at PayPal Park, USWNT Head Coach Emma Hayes spoke about her team training at Santa Clara University leading up to the match. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Head coach Emma Hayes led the United States women’s national soccer team to a statement win in San Jose while reflecting on the influence of Jerry Smith, a longtime Santa Clara University coach.

“I said this to Jerry Smith the other day, when I was a young coach, I aspired to be someone like him, and for what he’s done, and training with a backdrop of the names of so many players is naturally inspiring,” Hayes said about training at Santa Clara University. “I’ve never actually been on campus before, so it was nice to experience that. Felt really welcome and it’s a lovely playing surface at Santa Clara, and it was nice and intimate because the women’s soccer team were training behind us.”

The national team trained at Santa Clara University ahead of the three-game series against Japan, giving Hayes a firsthand experience of the environment built by longtime head coach Jerry Smith. The visit highlighted the connection between one of college soccer’s most successful programs and the trajectory of the national team.

The U.S. defeated Japan 2-1 on Saturday, April 11, at PayPal Park, opening the series with a win in San Jose.

Off a free kick, midfielder Rose Lavelle scored the opening goal just nine minutes into the match in her 100th career start.

“It’s always great to be able to score early in a game, and we get excited about set-piece goals. Hopefully, next time being able to use that to our advantage and continue to build momentum,” said Lavelle about the impact of the opening goal.

Lavelle also added how much she has enjoyed playing in the Bay Area. “The sunshine, that’s been really nice. I’ve been in the cold for a while, so that’s been my favorite part,” said Lavelle.

Japan’s Toko Kaba (6) wins the ball in a 1v1 situation against American midfielder Rose Lavelle (16). **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

Less than three minutes after halftime, Lindsey Heaps netted her 40th career goal to extend the U.S. lead to 2-0. “The fans today were incredible. We love being in California, but we got some warm weather. It was great today, and we appreciate it when they’re still behind us,” said Heaps.

U.S. women’s national team midfielder Lindsey Heaps (10) celebrates scoring to put the U.S. up 2-1 against Japan in a friendly match at PayPal Park in San Jose on Saturday, April 11, 2026. **(Nina Glick/The Santa Clara)**

In the 61st minute, Riko Ueki scored a header to put Japan on the board, marking the first goal the U.S. has conceded all year. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey finished with five saves, including a crucial stop in the final moments to secure the 2-1 victory.

The U.S. went on to fall 1-0 in Seattle before closing the series against Japan with a commanding 3-0 win in Denver.