Want to know a fun fact? In the history of the SheBelieves Cup, Mallory Swanson’s four-goal haul in the 2023 version was the gold standard for the most goals scored in a single tournament. But in the 2025 installment, this milestone has not only been matched but is on the verge of being surpassed to set a new record. The trailblazer, you ask? Mina Tanaka, ladies and gentlemen!

The Japanese international is the very protagonist here, having scored four goals in two matches so far. This feat has alone made her the top scorer in the 10th edition of this exhibition competition that is yet to be finished. As the spotlight remains on Tanaka, many are eager to learn more about the Utah Royals superstar and what exactly makes her so special.

Meet Mina Tanaka: The Japanese sensation

As surprising as it may sound, Tanaka was born in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand, on April 28, 1994. This is because while her father is Japanese, her mother is Thai. Not long was spent in her maternal country, as she quickly returned to Japan after her birth. Having grown up in Kawasaki City, Kanagawa, Tanaka completed her necessary education. She completed her graduation from Kanagawa Prefectural Yurigaoka High School in March 2013.

Of course, all such was done while pursuing her passion for the beautiful game. On the domestic front, she first signed for NTV Tokyo Verdy Beleza. Between 2011 and 2019, she accumulated over 227 appearances and 165 goals across all competitions. At Beleza, she not only enjoyed a dominant five-peat in the Nadeshiko League but also secured four consecutive Golden Boot titles and five straight Best XI nominations. Mina was also honored as the league’s best player in both 2018 and 2019.

Then in 2020, she signed for rivals INAC Kobe Leonessa, where until 2024, Mina netted 42 goals in 71 apps in all competitions. Within this, she had also enjoyed a stint in Europe, playing the 2021 season at Bayer Leverkusen, having net four goals in 10 games. It was just last year that Tanaka joined the Utah Royals as a free agent.

Since her youth days, Mina played a crucial role in Japan’s youth national team. First, the forward made a runner-up finish at the 2010 U-17 World Cup, having notched a goal in three apps. She then contributed to a third-place finish in the 2012 U-20 World Cup, playing in all six matches. These remarkable performances led to Tanak earning a senior call-up in February 2013.

The versatile attacker made her debut on March 8, scoring a goal in a 2–1 defeat against Germany at the 2013 Algarve Cup. Future camps did see her get called up, where in 2018, she was able to win the AFC Women’s Asian Cup. It further led Mina to also make the cut into the 2020 Summer Olympics, 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and 2024 Paris Olympics.

So far, she has made close to 90 appearances for Japan in which she has scored over 39 goals. In fact, her impact on the national team remains strong to this day. After all, Tanaka single-handedly challenges the FIFA No. 1 ranked team for their own silverware!

Only one player is responsible for Japan’s potential 2025 SheBelieves Cup win!

Yes, it has to be Mina Tanaka. To give you a quick glimpse, Japan kicked off the tournament with a remarkable 4-0 win over Australia. Tanaka proved clinical as she added a first-half brace within the 6th and 34th minutes. The 30-year-old extended her goalscoring streak on Matchday 2 of the SheBelieves Cup, netting a brace with goals in the 8th and 80th minutes against Colombia.

Now the final matchday 3 is against the host of this tournament, a.k.a. the USWNT. Though Emma Hayes and Co. have secured 2-0 and 2-1 wins against Colombia and Australia, respectively, there’s a catch. A goal difference of 4 keeps the American ladies in second place in the table. Winning the game matters for the USA, but at least by scoring 4 goals or more without conceding any.

Failure to do so will see them lose out the SheBelieves Cup to Japan. And you exactly know who would have played a key role in the victory of the rival side. The important question, however, more than winning stands is how exactly the USWNT defense can stop Mina Tanaka from scoring!