SEATTLE — Seattle soccer fans filled Westlake Park in downtown Seattle on Sunday to watch Team USA’s 4-1 win over Germany.
Fans at the watch party who recently moved to Seattle said it is obvious the city has a love for the sport.
“We went to a Sounders game and we were so impressed by the turnout,” Carlee Wendell said. “And then obviously it's great to see this, we're big soccer fans and big fans of women's sports in general.”
Former UW women’s soccer coach and current Reign FC General Manager Lesle Galimore agreed that Seattle embraces soccer.
“We are a soccer city,” Gallimore said. “I'm a Sounder until I die, I'm a Reign fan for life.”
While no current Reign FC players are on Team USA, Reign FC does have a presence in the Olympics.
“We obviously have the two Canadians, with Quinn and Jordyn who are playing right now and Rose and Emily that were on our team in the past,” Gallimore said.
While today soccer is on the big screen in downtown Seattle, pro soccer will soon be in Seattle in a much bigger way.
“Bringing the world's game here is a really big deal and super exciting to look forward to,” Gallimore said.
Seattle was selected to host six FIFA Men’s World Cup matches in 2026 at Lumen Field, including a match with the U.S. men's team on Juneteenth and a match celebrating Pride month.
“We're working with FIFA and our World Cup host committee to make sure that our games are not only the most fun but the safest and the best games in the tournament,” said Greg Wong, Seattle deputy mayor.
Former Sounders players at the watch party said they are confident Seattle will show the world why it was selected to host the matches.
“Having played in front of these fans for so many years, I knew that we had an amazing fan base here and that the world deserved to come here to see what we have,” said former Sounders player Steve Zakuani, who was helping promote the 2026 World Cup at the watch party. “Billions of people around the world watch the World Cup, so to have those eyes on Seattle, Washington soccer is going to be amazing.”
While soon all eyes will be on Seattle, right now all eyes are on Team USA.
“They're an unbelievable team,” Wendell said. “So, we're hoping that they'll bring home the gold. And if they don't, we’re still just proud to watch them compete on this level.”