Rose Lavelle Scored on Her 100th Start and the USWNT Just Set Up Shop in Seattle

Rose Lavelle marked her 100th start with a goal and an assist Saturday night, and the U.S. women's national team is heading straight to Seattle for the next leg of this three-match series against Japan. The Americans dominated San Jose 2-1, and now they're coming to town Tuesday to do it again.

Lavelle Made the Most of Her Milestone Moment

This wasn't just any start for Lavelle. She's now at 119 matches with the national team, and she made every minute of this one count. In the 9th minute, off a set piece, Lavelle put the ball away on her left foot to give the U.S. an early cushion. Then in the 48th minute, she set up Lindsey Heaps for a left-footed finish that made it 2-0. Heaps now has 40 goals in a USWNT uniform.

The setup was pure pressure soccer: Gisele Thompson forced a turnover high up the field, sent Lavelle sprinting down the left channel, and when Japan's defense blocked her service into the box, the rebound found her again. She picked out Heaps on the run and that was that. Japan's Riko Ueki did sneak one past the Americans in the 61st minute to cut it to 2-1, but the U.S. held firm for the win.

A Storybook Return and a Historic Sister Act

Sophia Wilson made her first USWNT match since October 27, 2024, on Saturday. She gave birth to a daughter in September 2025 and was making her first start since the gold medal match at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Wilson drew the foul that led to Lavelle's opening goal, and she was the one who sent that flighted ball into the box in the first place. Trinity Rodman did the heavy lifting on the cross.

Meanwhile, Alyssa and Gisele Thompson became the first sisters ever to start together in a USWNT match. That broke the previous record held by Samantha and Kristie Mewis, who did it three times. Alyssa Thompson couldn't convert on a close-range chance at the left post in the 23rd minute, but the Thompson sisters' presence on the field was felt all game.

Seattle's Getting a Closer Look

The U.S. had gone 865 minutes without allowing a goal before Ueki's header in the 61st. Claudia Dickey made four saves to keep the lead intact. The friendlies continue Tuesday right here in Seattle, then Friday in Commerce City, Colorado. If you've been wanting to catch the USWNT live, this is your moment.

This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.