USWNT Breaks Attendance Record in Seattle

On Tuesday night, Seattle welcomed the United States Women’s National Team to Lumen Field for the second of three friendly matches against longtime rivals Japan – and the game brought 90 minutes of excitement on the newly installed grass surface at Lumen Field.

Under the rainy skies of the Emerald City, the USWNT fell 1-0 on a 27th minute goal from Japanese midfielder Maika Hamano. Head Coach Emma Hayes completely rotated the lineup, fielding 11 players who did not start in the first match against Japan.

The Stars & Stripes maintained the vast majority of possession and did well to break through Japan’s press, earning a total of 12 shots, but lacked the quality in the final third that was needed to level the scoreline.

This match marked just the third time that the USWNT has played at Lumen Field, but the first time since 2017. The crowd of 36,128 showed up loud and proud, breaking the all-time attendance record for a standalone women’s sporting event in the city, to no one’s surprise.

The city has a long history of supporting the United States Women’s National Team since before the team was officially formed. The 1985 women’s national team, who started it all as they ventured into the unknown at the Mundialito tournament in Jesolo, Italy, featured eight players and a head coach from the state of Washington, including the iconic Michelle Akers.

While they didn’t know it at the time, they set into motion a 40-year period of the U.S. women dominating the global game – and that legacy is clear in Reign FC today. One of the original NWSL teams, they have carried on the very ethos that runs through sports in this city.

The Reign have started the 2026 season off strong, with three wins, one loss and one draw, weathering a road stretch and a series of matches at their home away from home in Spokane, Washington. They’ve netted seven goals this season, piling offensive prowess onto their trademark solid defense.

Now, Lumen Field prepares to welcome back the Reign and NWSL action on Sunday, April 26 as the team plays its long-awaited Seattle home opener against Utah Royals FC. Don’t miss a second of the action on or off the pitch – secure your tickets for the match today by purchasing a special ticket offer, a standard ticket to the match or a season ticket membership for the full slate of Reign FC games at Lumen Field this season.