Getty Kelsey Stewart of Team United States hits a walk-off home run to win the game 2-1 in the seventh inning against Team Japan during softball opening round on day three of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games at Yokohama Baseball Stadium on July 26, 2021 in Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan. (Photo by Yuichi Masuda/Getty Images)
The United States will take on Japan for the gold medal in Olympic softball on July 27.
In the United States, the game (start time: Tuesday at 7 a.m. ET) will be televised on NBC Sports Network. You can also watch the game live or on-demand via NBCOlympics.com or the NBC Sports app.
You’ll need to log-in to a cable provider to watch through the NBC digital platforms, but if you don’t have cable or don’t have a cable log-in, here are some different ways you can still watch a live stream of USA vs Japan softball online:
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FuboTV
You can watch a live stream of NBCSN and all NBC digital content (everything on the NBC Olympics website or NBC Sports app) with a subscription to FuboTV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for FuboTV, you can watch USA vs Japan live on the FuboTV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the FuboTV website.
You can also watch live or on-demand via the NBC Sports app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the NBC Olympics website.
You’ll need to log-in to a cable provider to watch this way, but you can do that with your FuboTV credentials.
You can also
Sling TV
You can watch a live stream of NBCSN and all NBC digital content (everything on the NBC Olympics website or NBC Sports app) via Sling TV’s “Sling Blue” bundle. This option doesn’t include a free trial, but it’s the cheapest long-term streaming service with these channels, and you can get your first month (which will cover the entirety of the Olympics) for just $10:
Once signed up for Sling TV, you can watch USA vs Japan live on the Sling TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), airTV Mini, Oculus, Portal, iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Sling TV website.
You can also watch live or on-demand on the NBC Sports app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the NBC Olympics website.
You’ll need to log-in to a cable provider to watch via the NBC platforms, but you can do that with your Sling credentials.
AT&T TV
AT&T TV has four different channel packages: “Entertainment,” “Choice,” “Ultimate” and “Premier.” You can watch a live stream of NBCSN and all NBC digital content (everything on the NBC Olympics website or NBC Sports app) via any of them, and you can pick any package and any add-on you want with your free 14-day trial.
Note that the free trial isn’t advertised as such, but your “due today” amount will be $0 when signing up. If you watch on your computer, phone or tablet, you won’t be charged for 14 days. If you watch on a streaming device on your TV (Roku, Fire Stick, Apple TV, etc.), you will be charged for the first month, but you can get still get a full refund if you cancel before 14 days:
Once signed up for AT&T TV, you can watch USA vs Japan live on the AT&T TV app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Samsung TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the AT&T TV website.
You can also watch live or on-demand on the NBC Sports app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the NBC Olympics website.
You’ll need to log-in to a cable provider to watch via the NBC platforms, but you can do that with your AT&T TV credentials.
Hulu With Live TV
You can watch a live stream of NBCSN and all NBC digital content (everything on the NBC Olympics website or NBC Sports app) via Hulu With Live TV, which comes with a free seven-day trial:
Once signed up for Hulu With Live TV, you can watch USA vs Japan live on the Hulu app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4 or 5, Nintendo Switch, Samsung TV, LG TV, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the Hulu website.
You can also watch live or on-demand on the NBC Sports app, which is available on your Roku, Roku TV, Amazon Fire TV or Fire Stick, Apple TV, Chromecast, Xbox One or Series X/S, PlayStation 4, any device with Android TV (such as a Sony TV or Nvidia Shield), iPhone, Android phone, iPad or Android tablet. Or you can watch on your computer via the NBC Olympics website.
You’ll need to log-in to a cable provider to watch via the NBC platforms, but you can do that with your Hulu credentials.
USA vs Japan Preview
The United States got to the gold medal game in dramatic fashion, with a 2-1 walk off win over Australia in extra innings followed by an equally dramatic walk-off against Japan. Catcher Amanda Chidester knocked in Ally Carda and Haylie McCleney in the eighth inning with a two-run game-winner against Australia, while pitcher Monica Abbott led the charge from the Mound in the win, finishing the game with 13 strike outs, while allowing just three hits and six walks.
“Wow! Incredible softball,” Abbott said excitedly after the win. “A lot of tense moments. But you live for these moments. You like to compete in these moments.”
“We’ve got Fire and Ice throwing for us right now, and they’re throwing the ball really, really well,” U.S. coach Ken Eriksen said, referring to Abbott and her fellow ace Cat Osterman. The United States followed that win up with a 2-1 victory over Japan in the last game for both teams heading into the gold medal matchup. Kelsey Stewart hit the game-winning home run in the seventh inning, leaving the Americans undefeated.
The U.S. has been dominant so far, going 5-0 in the Games while allowing just two runs in that span.
On the other side, No. 2-ranked Japan enters this game on a similar high after beating Canada, 1-0, in extra-innings before falling to the Americans. Eri Yamada singled to drive in the game’s lone run against the Canadians, and she noted afterward that her team’s mindset is exactly where it needs to be.
“The opportunity for a big hit fell to me, just as it had in my previous at-bat,” Yamada said after the game. “I expected I would get a chance to play my part. We entered this tournament with the understanding that one loss could cost us a shot at the gold medal, so we’ve played with the intention of winning every game.”
Like the Americans, Japan is 4-1 in Olympic play, so this one could very likely go into extra innings.
With softball being absent from the 2012 Games in London and the 2016 Rio Games, the last time both countries competed for gold was back in 2008 at the Olympics in Beijing. The United States lost the gold medal game that year to none other than Japan.
Here’s a look at the rosters for both countries:
United States Roster: Pitchers: Monica Abbott, Ally Carda, Rachel Garcia, Cat Osterman Catchers: Dejah Mulipola, Aubree Munro Infielders: Ali Aguilar, Valerie Arioto, Delaney Spaulding Outfielders: Haylie McCleney, Michelle Moultrie, Janie Reed Utilities: Amanda Chidester, Bubba Nickles, Kelsey Stewart
Japan Roster: Pitchers: Ueno Yukiko, Goto MiI, Fujita Yamato Catchers: Agatsuma Haruka, Kiyohara Nayu, Mine Yukiyo Infielders: Atsumi ManA, Ichiguchi Yuka, Kawabata Hitomii, Naito Minori, Yamamoto Yu Outfielders: Harada Nodoka, Mori Sayaka, Yamada Eri, Yamazaki Saki