USA: 18-Siri Mullinix; 3-Christie Pearce (Keri Raygor, 59), 4-Carla Overbeck (C), 15-Kate Sobrero, 6-Brandi Chastain; 13-Kristine Lilly (Michelle French, 77), 11-Julie Foudy, 2-Lorrie Fair, 8-Shannon MacMillan; 16-Tiffeny Milbrett, 9-Mia Hamm (Mary-Frances Monroe, 55).

JPN: Nozomi Yamago, Hiromi Isozaki, Yumi Obe, Tomoe Sakai, Yuka Yamazaki, Yayoi Kobayashi (Tomomi Fujimura, 50), Homare Sawa, Ayumi Hara (C), Yoshie Kasajima, Eriko Arakawa (Megumi Ogawa, 86), Mai Nakachi (Rie Kimura, 63).

Referee: Sandra Hunt (United States)

Asst. Referees: Scott Weyland (United States), Richard Heron (United States)

Brandi Chastain's header off a Shannon MacMillan corner in the 26th minute gave the U.S. a 1-0 lead. The goal was the 25th of Chastain's international career.

Japan equalized nine minutes later when Yayoi Kobayashi, on the right flank, sent a serve into the box. Homare Sawa chested the ball past Siri Mullinix for the goal.

The match marked the final appearance for captain Carla Overbeck, who played 168 games tallying seven goals and five assists while anchoring the U.S. backline during her 12-year career. Overbeck almost netted the gamewinner in injury time firing a header off a MacMillan cross just wide of the right post.

The U.S. finished the year with a 26-6-9 record in 41 matches, the most the team had ever played in a year.