BEIJING — The United States and Japan played to a 1-1 draw Tuesday in Olympic women's field hockey.

The Americans, who haven't won a medal since 1984, earned their second straight tie against a top five-ranked team and continued to play above their No. 11 ranking. The U.S. played to a 2-2 draw against No. 2 Argentina on Sunday.

The U.S. team has two points in Pool B with three games to play, and will play defending Olympic champion Germany on Thursday. U.S. coach Lee Bodimeade wouldn't say his team must beat the Germans, a victory would be important.

"I think there's a lot of water to go under the bridge in this tournament yet," he said. "We're going to go away from this and take a lot of positive out of what we did and the way we finished the game and really attack Germany because three points there can put us in a very, very good position for the rest of the tournament."

The U.S. earned the draw when team captain Kate Barber scored in the 58th minute on a shot that slowly rolled into the goal to tie the score.

Barber said the U.S. didn't play well in the first 55 minutes, the team's second straight slow start at the Olympics. The U.S. trailed Argentina 2-0 on Sunday before rallying to salvage the tie.

"It's definitely something we've identified as a group that needs to be addressed and needs to change," she said. "The fact that we can turn it up shows how good we can be. It's frustrating as a group to know that it's there, and for us not to do it for the full 70 minutes is something we really need to focus in on."

While the Americans are under a bit of pressure, Japan is in good shape after improving to 1-0-1 in the pool.

"In the second half, although the U.S. team scored a goal and tied with us, our team numbers show very good," Japan coach Yoo Seung-jin said. "I do still think we have hope of winning a medal."

Japan scored first when Kaori Chiba deflected a long pass by Sakae Morimoto 12 minutes into the match.

The U.S. threatened late in the first half, but a shot from in close by Barber bounced off the right post, and Japan took the one-goal lead into halftime. Barber missed wide left in the 46th minute, but finally got it right 12 minutes later. Both goalies made saves in the final three minutes to preserve the tie.