USWNT falters in 1-0 loss to Japan behind young lineup

SEATTLE, WA — The United States women’s national team continued their three-game series against Japan on Tuesday, but couldn’t hold the momentum from Saturday’s win. In a rainy matchup in Seattle, the USWNT lost 1-0 to Japan, falling flat after an early Japanese goal.

Emma Hayes, who has been open about using this window to experiment with the U.S. lineup, swapped out all 11 players from Saturday’s game. 20-year-old midfielder Claire Hutton, who took the captain’s armband for the first time in January, started as captain, anchoring a younger lineup than the first matchup.

In goal, Hayes opted to rest Seattle Reign keeper Claudia Dickey, who played on Saturday, and start Phallon Tullis-Joyce — a former goalkeeper for the Seattle Reign, who got a hearty cheer during the announcement of starting lineups.

The lineup’s youth was apparent early in the game. Japan, a team known for punishing responses to opposing team’s mistakes, had multiple dangerous chances, putting a lot of pressure on Tullis-Joyce in the back. Meanwhile, the U.S. progressed the ball well, but struggled to connect in the final third to get past Japan’s defense.

Japan’s pressure hit a breaking point in the 27th minute, as Maika Hamano beat Lilly Reale on the outside before sending in a beautiful shot.

As the U.S.’s missed connections continued into the second half, Hayes made a quartet of changes in the hopes of revitalizing the game, bringing on Trinity Rodman, Sophia Wilson, Gisele Thompson and Tierna Davidson to shore up both ends of the field. A few minutes later, Lindsey Heaps came on to try and stabilize the midfield.

But the USWNT’s crosses and chances continued to fall flat, cut off by the Japanese back line up through the end. The U.S.’s best chance came in the final seconds of stoppage time, with Heaps sending a low header on target, but Akane Okuma got her hands on it for her best save of the game.

Moments later, the officials blew the whistle to secure the 1-0 victory for Japan — just the third win over the U.S. in the history of the rivalry.

All of this marked a return to Seattle for the USWNT, who hasn’t played in the city for more than a decade due to Lumen Field’s artificial turf, which was swapped out for grass in anticipation of the 2026 men’s World Cup.

Even with the loss — and the unrelenting rain and wind — Seattle gave the U.S. a warm welcome in their return, with an announced attendance of 36,128 fans despite the weather.

This game was a learning experience for the younger members of the USWNT pool, being forced to play from behind against a unified, suffocating Japanese team. But if it was meant to be a test, then the U.S. has some more studying to do.

This story will be updated.