By Jason Cruz
NORTHWEST ASIAN WEEKLY
On a dark, cold, and wet night, Japan snapped the U.S. women’s national soccer team (USWNT)’s 10-game win streak in an exhibition at Lumen Field. It was the first time in almost a decade that the U.S. women’s team has made a stop in Seattle.
Players from Japan and the United States compete during a friendly match at Lumen Field in Seattle on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Jason Cruz)
It was the second of three exhibitions (commonly known as “friendlies,” since they are unofficial matches that do not impact records or rankings) between the two national teams. The first match was played in San Jose on Saturday, April 11 with the U.S. winning 2-1.
The story was different three days later.
Japan’s forward Maika Hamano scored with a nifty fake with her right foot to avoid U.S. defender Lily Reale and scored with her left foot. Hamano tucked the ball into the top right corner of the goal and, despite Phallon Tullis-Joyce efforts, it went in.
Akane Okuma played well in goal for Team Japan. The 21-year-old goalkeeper held up with several near goals, including one opportunity in the first five minutes. However, Okuma ended with four saves on the night. The U.S. owned the time of possession for the match, but Japan’s defense was up to the test.
On Monday, Team Japan practiced at the University of Washington Soccer Field to stretch out and prepare for the second matchup with Team USA. It also helped them get ready for the bleary weather. San Jose on Saturday provided the team with sun and clear conditions.
If there is any consolation for the U.S., the team went with a much younger starting lineup for the second match with Japan. Notably, Team USA changed the complexion of the team from Saturday with all new 11 starters. Trinity Rodman, the popular 23-year-old National Women’s Soccer League star, did not start the match. She was inserted in the 65th minute (matches are 90 minutes) of the match. Despite her insertion into the lineup, she could not help the team score. Rodman is the estranged daughter of former NBA basketball star Dennis Rodman.
Japan also made nine lineup changes from its meeting in San Jose.
Lumen Field will be one of the venues for the FIFA Men’s World Cup, which is jointly hosted by the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. The venue added new grass which will be used for the matches this summer. Tuesday night’s match was the first time that it was used since it was installed, starting in late February. Sod was laid on top of the base materials and placed on top of the stadium’s artificial surface.
Notwithstanding the cold, rainy night, the fans showed up to support women’s soccer. The announced attendance at Lumen Field was 36,128. Most of the lower bowl were filled with soccer fans. The crowd, most rooting for Team USA, were into the match and cheered at every potential scoring opportunity.
Fans make their way into Lumen Field before kickoff between Japan and the United States on April 14, 2026. (Photo by Jason Cruz)
“Certainly you could feel the crowd. Sometimes I wanted to give them a little bit more,” said USWNT head coach Emma Hayes of her team’s effort.
Despite the wet and cold, the field held up. “I think it played nicely,” said Hayes, “[h]owever as it was wet, it played really quick.” Not making excuses, she quickly stated that it was “football, you have to play the conditions.”
2017 was the last time the USWNT played in Seattle. They lost to Australia 1-0 in the inaugural Tournament of Nations.
Prior to Team USA’s win on Saturday, Japan last defeated the U.S. 2-1 in February 2025 as part of the SheBelieves Cup Final in San Diego.
The two teams head to Colorado, where they will play the final leg of their three-match tour on Friday.
Jason can be reached at newstips@nwasianweekly.com.
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