Russell Wilson Walked Back on Familiar Turf, and Marshawn Lynch Wants to Bring Lumen Field Down
Lumen Field was absolutely ELECTRIC for the USMNT's World Cup clash against Australia, and not just because of the guys on the pitch! Our very own Emerald City welcomed a whole roster of stars in the stands and on the sidelines. USMNT manager Mauricio Pochettino is out here predicting his players will become "great heroes" and "change this sport," saying he wishes "with all my heart that the 26, plus two young goalkeepers who are training with us, who are the future of soccer here, will be the heroes." But honestly? Some of the real heroes for Seattle fans were back on that familiar turf, doing their own thing, and it was WILD.
Seattle's Own Back in the House!
You already know what's up when we talk about Seattle royalty, right? Texan singer Ciara played a role in the pre-game hype, delivering the coin for the referee to flip. But then her husband, our guy, Russell Wilson, made the trip to a setting he knows all too well. The former Seattle Seahawk quarterback hasn't been rooting for the home team at Lumen Field since 2022, but he was showing his support for the U.S. squad, even having a nice exchange with USMNT captain Tim Ream before kickoff. It's good to see him back, even if it's not in a Seahawks jersey!
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And speaking of Seahawks legends, our Beast Mode, Marshawn Lynch, was in the building, hoping for a deafening display from the crowd. He knows the power of the 12s better than anyone! Marshawn dropped an absolutely classic pre-match prediction, saying, "This is how I see it, they caused an earthquake already. We just want to make sure that the building stays put together, because I think if they get loud enough, I think they can bring that motherf----- down." Seriously, only Marshawn could say something like that, and we all know Lumen Field can get loud enough to make it happen!
More Stars Light Up the Emerald City
It wasn't just our former Seahawks lighting up the field, though. Soccer royalty was out in full force! USWNT icon Alex Morgan was the centerpiece of a cluster of American soccer legends. Right there with her was former two-time World Cup-winning manager Jill Ellis, and ex-goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who awkwardly leaned down to grab Morgan’s shoulders. Morgan’s husband, Servando Carrasco, also a professional soccer player, was to her left. And before kickoff, USWNT vice-captain Trinity Rodman brought out the match ball. While the USWNT had a tough round of 16 exit in 2023, for the current men’s team, advancing to that stage would be about par.
The star power kept coming! Robert F. Kennedy Jr, the U.S. secretary of health, made an appearance on the big screen. And Paris Hilton? She’s becoming a regular, making the 1,100-mile trip from Los Angeles to Seattle, attending both of the USMNT’s first two World Cup matches. Even the NBA got some love, with Sacramento Kings’ Washington native Zach LaVine in attendance, though the U.S. broadcasters somehow missed identifying him during commentary. Wild!
What a night for the Emerald City! It wasn't just about the soccer, it was about seeing some legends back home and the pure, unmatched energy of Lumen Field. Let's keep that 12s spirit alive, whether it's our Sounders hitting the pitch or welcoming global events back to our turf. You know Seattle always shows up, and we'll be here for every single second!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.