Maika Hamano scores to give Japan 1-0 win over USWNT
Japan midfielder Maika Hamano (17) celebrates with defender Risa Shimizu (2) after scoring against the United States during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson
SEATTLE — Maika Hamano scored and Japan beat the U.S. women's national team 1-0 in a friendly on Tuesday night to snap the Americans' 10-game winning streak.
The loss was the first for the U.S. since Oct. 23, 2025, a 2-1 setback to Portugal, and marked the first time the Americans lost in a shutout in 42 games. The U.S. had won 10 straight matches for the first time since 2023 after its 2-1 victory against Japan on Saturday.
Coach Emma Hayes did not regret the team scheduling a three-game series with Japan.
“If we would have picked a lesser opponent and I would have sat here and said, ‘What a great night, we won by multiple scorelines,'" Hayes said, "I’m sure I’d feel good and fill your columns with lots of things that further enhance the reputation of the team. But, I don’t believe in it.”
Before Saturday, Japan had won the last meeting with the United States 2-1 in the 2025 SheBelieves Cup final.
Hamano fooled Lilly Reale, and then booted a left-footed shot over goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce’s outstretched left hand in the 27th minute.
“Tough one," Tullis-Joyce said. “Japan’s very technical.”
United States goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce can't make the save against a goal from Japan midfielder Maika Hamano as midfielder Fuka Nagano (10) looks on with United States' Emily Sams (6) during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Hayes made sweeping changes to the lineup she had used on Saturday in San Jose, resting players including Sophia Wilson and Trinity Rodman, who started in the previous game. Hayes defended her decision to deploy a younger lineup on Tuesday.
“I think if I play solely to win, we maybe don’t change a lot in these games," Hayes said. "We play the vast majority of seniors, whether it’s sprinkle in a few more seniors, sprinkle in a few. But, that’s not where I’m at. And, I don’t regret those decisions.”
Wilson and Rodman entered as substitutes in the 65th minute, as did Tierna Davidson and Gisele Thompson. Davidson had not played for the United States since February 2025, after tearing her ACL in a match with Gotham FC last March.
Wilson played for the second straight match after the birth of her daughter. She had not played for the U.S. since October 2024.
Japan goalkeeper Akane Okuma collects the ball against United States midfielder Jaedyn Shaw during the first half of an international friendly soccer match Tuesday, April 14, 2026, in Seattle. Credit: AP/Lindsey Wasson
Tuesday marked the first time the U.S. women’s national team played on the new grass that has been installed at Lumen Field for this summer’s World Cup. The women’s team had not been to Lumen since 2017 because of the stadium’s artificial turf.
“I didn’t notice it at all,” said Lindsey Heaps, “so that means it was a good thing.”
The announced crowd was 36,128 for the game, which broke the record for a standalone women’s match in Seattle. Megan Rapinoe’s retirement match with the Seattle Reign in 2023 drew 34,130 fans.
The finale of the three-game series between the U.S. and Japan is slated for Friday in Commerce City, Colorado.
“They’re a world-class team,” Hayes said. “I think when you win the first one, inevitably, the second one becomes that challenge. They are a top side, so we have to give them a lot of credit. So, game on for the third game.”
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