SEATTLE — Maika Hamano scored the only goal of the match, leading Japan to a 1-0 victory over the United States in a friendly on Tuesday night, ending the Americans’ impressive 10-game winning streak.
This defeat marked the first loss for the U.S. since October 23, 2025, when they fell 2-1 to Portugal, and it was the first time the U.S. had been shut out in 42 matches. The Americans had achieved their first 10-match winning streak since 2023 following a 2-1 triumph over Japan on Saturday.
Prior to Saturday’s game, Japan had also emerged victorious against the U.S. in their last meeting, winning 2-1 during the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final.
In the 27th minute, Hamano skillfully evaded Lilly Reale before executing a left-footed shot that soared over goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s extended arm.
U.S. coach Emma Hayes made significant adjustments to her lineup from Saturday’s game in San Jose, resting several key players including Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman, who had both started in the previous match.
Wilson and Rodman entered the match as substitutes in the 65th minute, along with Tierna Davidson and Gisele Thompson. This marks Davidson’s first appearance for the U.S. team since February 2025, after suffering an ACL injury in a match against Gotham FC in March.
Wilson played her second consecutive match after welcoming her daughter and hadn’t played for the U.S. since October 2024.
Tuesday also marked the first time the U.S. women’s national team played on the newly installed grass at Lumen Field, which will host this summer’s World Cup. The team hadn’t played there since 2017 due to the stadium’s artificial turf.
The announced attendance for the match was 36,128, setting a new record for a standalone women’s match in Seattle. The previous record was held during Megan Rapinoe’s retirement match with the Seattle Reign in 2023, which attracted 34,130 spectators.
The final match of the three-game series between the U.S. and Japan is scheduled for Friday in Commerce City, Colorado.