Record crowd in Seattle sees USWNT drop match one nil to Japan

USWNT 0
Japan 1
April 14, 2026
Lumen Field – Seattle, WA
Women’s International Friendly

The US Women’s National Team took on Nadeshiko Japan at Lumen Field in Seattle. It was the second match of a three match friendly series on Tuesday evening. The first match was won by the USWNT over 2-1 over the weekend.

The match marked the first USWNT match in Seattle at Lumen since a one nil loss to Australia in 2017.

For locals, The Seattle Reign FC was represented by goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. It was also a homecoming for former Reign players Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Rose Lavelle, and Emily Sonnett.

Paul Kahl photos

With three matches in the international window there was complete squad rotation from the first match. The young American side had to work hard to break down a disciplined Japanese defense that would bend, but not break. Attacks down either flank would create the first half chances, but the finishing was not there in the box.

Both sides struggled connecting lines, but each had moments where dangerous chances came together. Two opponents with such familiarity were able to frustrate the other.

However, Japan got on the board in the first in the 27th minute. Maika Hamano managed a lovely juke and chip in the box, beating the US defense and Tullis-Joyce for the early lead.

No changes were made coming out the interval, as the starting eleven was given the opportunity to adjust and see if they could break through with an equalizer.

After the 60th minute the changes came in large numbers, as the more veteran members of the squad would enter. For a time it looked as though there could be a breakthrough, as the fresh legs pushed and kept the ball in the attacking third.

The stalwart defending never really broke. The US kept a good deal of possession as the match wore down, but the lanes and opportunities were few.

The Japanese saw out the match, patiently holding off and frustrating US attempts to break them down.

It was a record crowd for a women’s sports event and soccer match in Seattle. Megan Rapinoe’s retirement match had drawn 34,130 to Lumen in October of 2023. 36,128 were on hand Tuesday evening.

The match was the first played on the grass field installed for the world cup.

The third match in the international window series is this weekend.

BOX

Match: United States vs. Japan
Date: April 14, 2026
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Lumen Field, Seattle, Wash.
Attendance: 36,128
Kickoff: 7 p.m. PT / 10 p.m. ET
Weather: 48 degrees and rainy

Scoring Summary:
JPN — Maika Hamano (Maya Hijikata) 27th minute

Lineups:
USA: 24-Phallon Tullis-Joyce; 3-Avery Patterson, 6-Emily Sams, 14-Emily Sonnett (12-Tierna Davidson, 65), 5-Lilly Reale (22-Gisele Thompson, 65); 15-Claire Hutton (Capt.), 7-Lily Yohannes (10-Lindsey Heaps, 71), 13-Olivia Moultrie (11-Sophia Wilson, 65); 8-Jaedyn Shaw (26-Jameese Joseph, 79), 9-Ally Sentnor, 19-Emma Sears (2-Trinity Rodman, 65)
Substitutes not used: 1-Claudia Dickey, 4-Naomi Girma, 16-Rose Lavelle, 17-Sam Coffey, 20-Michelle Cooper, 23-Emily Fox
Not dressing: 18-Jane Campbell, 21-Alyssa Thompson, 25-Kennedy Wesley
Head Coach: Emma Hayes

JPN: 23-Akane Okuma; 2-Risa Shimizu (14-Yui Hasegawa, 79), 3-Moeka Minami 4-Saki Kumagai, 21-Miyabi Moriya (13-Hikaru Kitagawa, 46); 17-Maika Hamano (15-Aoba Fujino, 59), 18-Honoka Hayashi (19-Momoko Tanikawa, 79), 10-Fuka Nagano (7-Hinata Miyazawa, 68), 22-Remina Chiba (16-Yuzuki Yamamoto, 59); 24-Maya Hijikata (20-Manaka Matsukubo, 46), 11-Mina Tanaka (9-Riko Ueki, 68)
Substitutes not used: 1-Ayaka Yamashita, 6-Toko Koga, 12-Chika Hirao
Head coach: Michihisa Kano

Stats Summary: USA / JPN
Shots: 12 / 9
Shots on Goal: 5 / 5
Saves: 4 / 5
Corner Kicks: 3 / 2
Fouls: 3 / 13
Offside: 3 / 4

Misconduct Summary:
JPN – Miyabi Moriya (Caution) 37th minute

Officials:
Ref: Janeishka Caban (PUR)
AR1: Lourdes Noriega (HON)
AR2: Santa Medina (DOM)
Fourth: Sandra Benitez (SLV)