SEATTLE — 4th of July weekend.
A perfect sunny evening at a baseball stadium in Seattle.
Team USA Men’s Soccer visits to get the crowd rolling.
Is that not the perfect start to not just the holiday weekend, but the major match looming Monday?
Indeed, the FIFA World Cup Round of 16 is here in Seattle when Team USA battles Belgium in what many are calling the biggest soccer match in American history.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 3: United States men’s national soccer team prior to a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park on July 3, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners)
It carries that weight not just because of the tangible stakes, but also because of a potential third-ever quarterfinal bid for Team USA and the first in 24 years.
But because of the Americans’ potential.
And we get a front row seat right here in Seattle.
It was one thing, a special thing, to see them train on the University of Washington campus. The same field that forged the 2025 National Champion in what we hope is a precursor or just plain old good vibes for Team USA.
But what did we see at T-Mobile Park on Friday night?
That was a WHOLE other thing.
Each player on Team USA was formally introduced to a capacity crowd ready to root on their Mariners. The finale featured UW alum Cristian Roldan and, of course, Team USA Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who tossed a perfect ceremonial first pitch to Mariners Manager Dan Wilson.
The Seattle crowd roared with approval and broke out into a brief but powerful “USA!” chant.
SEATTLE, WASHINGTON – JULY 3: United States men’s national soccer team prior to a game between the Seattle Mariners and the Toronto Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park on July 3, 2026 in Seattle, Washington. (Photo by Ben VanHouten/Seattle Mariners)
This. This is why Team USA wanted to play matches in Seattle.
This is why, all things on the pitch considered, our fans and crowd in the Emerald City will provide a boost to this team.
“Seattle just shows out. They show out for their sports teams. No surprise that they’re out here showing out for the Mariners and it’s great to have this little crossover” said Team USA captain Tim Ream at T-Mobile Park on Friday night.
“We’re very fortunate to have such amazing support as we’ve had, specifically Seattle has been unbelievable in hosting us” said midfielder Tyler Adams before this morning’s training at UW.
“So it’s exciting to come back to a place that feels familiar, that obviously we had the win over Australia, to know that we can expect that same energy again in the biggest moment in our careers is really special,” Adams added.
And that’s what made Friday’s party at T-Mobile Park so symbolic.
It felt like a pep rally, a 4th of July celebration and a potential championship sendoff all in one, because it was just that.
Seattle continues to shine on the national sports stage, now it’s doing so on the global level.
Arguably the best team in American Soccer history feels right at home in Seattle. There’s a comfort knowing that they’re here, one that could just settle them in for a victory that would be the best in American soccer history.
They wanted it in Seattle.
Friday’s sendoff showed exactly why.
Because Seattle is a world-class sports city that the USMNT hand-picked, and by winning their group, gets to return to.
And we all get the front row seat to see if history is made.
