> This is the first Olympic meeting between the United States and Japan.
> The USA and Japan last played each other at the 2006 World Cup: Japan won the Final 5-6 (1-0) after a goalless draw in the group stage.
> The United States came to Beijing 2008 by winning the Qualification tournament in Kazan, Russia.
> For the US women's team this is the first Olympic Games participation since Atlanta 1996, when they finished fifth. Their best result came in 1984 when they won the bronze medal.
> USA have never won an Olympic match by more than two goals.
> Tomomi Komori is top goal scorer for Japan in Olympic history, having netted three times at Athens 2004.