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Jun 24, 2026

Expect raucous Seattle crowd to give USMNT extra boost vs. Aussies

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Expect raucous Seattle crowd to give USMNT extra boost vs. Aussies

By Brian Lewis Published June 19, 2026, 1:19 a.m. ET

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SEATTLE — Lumen Field is one of the loudest stadiums on the planet. Seattle is arguably the most soccer-mad city in the country.

And it’s about to host the biggest game in its history, the U.S. national team taking on Australia Friday with first place in World Cup Group D at stake.

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An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows Cristian Roldan #15 and Weston McKennie #8 of the United States of America participate in a USA training session one day ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026 Group D match between USA and Australia at the University of Washington Soccer Field on June 18, 2026 in Seattle, Washington, Image 2 shows United States' Sergino Dest, left, and teammate Tyler Adams practice during a training session ahead of their FIFA World Cup match against Australia in Irvine, Calif., Tuesday, June 16, 2026, Image 3 shows Mauricio Pochettino, head coach of the United States, attends a press conference ahead of a group D match between the United States and Australia at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in Seattle, the United States, June 18, 2026

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“Yeah, I fully expect this crowd to be extremely loud, and they’re going to energize our group. This is one of the loudest stadiums in the world, when you think about Seahawks or Sounders games,” Cristian Roldan said. “I fully expect the city of Seattle to come out and show out. The guys are going to feel that type of energy.

“The soccer culture goes back a long time here in the city of Seattle. … There’s a long, long history here, as well as Vancouver and Portland. So, digging into that, the soccer landscape is amazing. … It means a lot to play soccer here. And I’m excited for the world to see what the city is all about.”

Roldan starred at the University of Washington, where the U.S. practiced Thursday, and plays for the Seattle Sounders, who often have MLS’ biggest and loudest crowds.

But the city’s love affair with soccer runs far deeper and older than even MLS, back to the Sounders’ NASL days. And Lumen’s status as a sonic weapon predates its use in fútbol to football tenant Seahawks.

“I heard so, I heard so. I’ve never played here. I hope it’s gonna be loud,” Sergiño Dest said. “That also scares the opponent a little bit and it helps us, gives us an extra boost. So it’s gonna be a great game.”

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