Japan Ends US Soccer Winning Streak with 1-0 Victory

Tottenham's Maika Hamano scores lone goal in international friendly in Seattle.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 9:17am

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A cubist, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a women's soccer match, with overlapping planes of red, white, and blue representing the competing teams.Japan's upset victory over the mighty US women's national team signals the rising global competitiveness of their soccer program.Seattle Today

In a friendly match in Seattle, Japan's national soccer team defeated the United States 1-0, ending the Americans' 10-game unbeaten streak. Tottenham Hotspur forward Maika Hamano scored the lone goal for Japan in the match.

Why it matters

The US women's national soccer team has been one of the most dominant teams in the world, so this loss to Japan, while just a friendly, ends an impressive unbeaten run and shows the growing strength of Japan's program on the international stage.

The details

Hamano, a 23-year-old forward for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Women's Super League, scored the game's only goal in the 72nd minute to give Japan the victory. The US had been unbeaten in their previous 10 matches, a streak dating back to last October.

  • The match took place on Tuesday, April 15, 2026 in Seattle, Washington.
  • Japan's winning goal was scored in the 72nd minute of the game.

The players

Maika Hamano

A 23-year-old forward who plays for Tottenham Hotspur in the English Women's Super League and scored the winning goal for Japan.

United States Women's National Soccer Team

The US women's national soccer team, which had been on a 10-game unbeaten streak prior to this loss to Japan.

Japan Women's National Soccer Team

The Japanese national soccer team that defeated the United States 1-0 in the friendly match, ending the Americans' long unbeaten run.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“This was a big win for us against one of the world's best teams. Our players showed a lot of heart and determination to get the result.”

— Futoshi Ikeda, Head Coach, Japan Women's National Team

The takeaway

Japan's victory over the dominant US women's national team demonstrates the continued growth and improvement of the Japanese program, which could make them a force to be reckoned with at the next Women's World Cup.