USWNT gets a sneak peek at the grass installed at Lumen for the World Cup
SEATTLE (AP) — The U. S. women's national team is getting a sneak peek at the grass that has been laid down at Lumen Field for this summer's World Cup .
The United States was set to play Japan on Tuesday night on the newly installed hybrid grass, a mix of real grass woven with artificial fibers. The women's team has not been to Lumen since 2017 because of the artificial turf. In 2022, the collective bargaining agreement that gave the women equal pay to their male national team counterparts also gave the players equitable playing conditions, which included playing only on suitable grass fields.
U. S. coach Emma Hayes said it was important to bring the national team back to the Pacific Northwest.
More than 35,000 tickets were sold for the game, which breaks the record for a standalone women's match in Seattle. Megan Rapinoe's retirement match with the Seattle Reign in 2023 drew 34,130 fans. “It definitely was one of my aims.
I really wanted the opportunity and quite rightly the CBA, we want to be playing on grass fields. So that prohibited that from happening and this opportunity gives us the chance to do that,” Hayes said. “I’m so happy to grab it with both hands and for us to have a record attendance for a women’s game in this area.