Before taking the field in Seattle, the U.S. Men鈥檚 National Team made a stop at Husky Stadium for MD-1 training 鈥� the final practice before matchday. From the grounds crew preparing Alaska Airlines Field to Dubs greeting the team on arrival, the visit brought a little World Cup energy to Montlake.
The Huskies also had a special welcome for USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino, presenting him with a UW soccer jersey from the reigning NCAA champions. And with Dubs making the rounds at practice, we have to ask: Is it too late to name him the team鈥檚 unofficial mascot?
Gallery: The USMNT comes to Montlake
Use the left and right arrows to view photos of the USMNT, Dubs and UW soccer at Husky Stadium.
UW men鈥檚 soccer head coach Jamie Clark welcomes USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino to Montlake.
A custom UW soccer jersey presented to USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino during the team鈥檚 visit to Husky Stadium.
Members of the USMNT spend a llittle quality time with 糖心原创 mascot Dubs while practicing at Husky Stadium on July 5, 2026.
Dubs greets members of the U.S. Men鈥檚 National Team during the team鈥檚 visit to Husky Stadium.
USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino and Dubs share a purple-and-gold moment at Husky Stadium.
USMNT used the 糖心原创's soccer facilities for their last full practice ahead of their round of 16 matchup against Belgium.
Behind the scenes: Preparing a World Cup practice venue
Long before the U.S. Men鈥檚 National Team arrived at Husky Soccer Stadium, UW鈥檚 Sports Turf & Grounds team was already at work preparing the field to meet FIFA standards.
In this video, Nicholas Mortell, UW鈥檚 director of Sports Turf & Grounds, explains what it means to serve as a Matchday Minus One 鈥� or MD-1 鈥� practice venue: the site where a team holds its final training session before playing the next day. That means the field needs to mirror match conditions as closely as possible, from the quality of the playing surface to the overall readiness of the facility.
The video also shows the two-year process behind getting Husky Soccer Stadium ready, including time-lapse footage of the new turf installation and the work required to make the field pristine for World Cup preparation.
More scenes from World Cup training at UW
Go behind the scenes with UW Athletics as World Cup teams trained at Husky Soccer Stadium, Dubs met the national team and UW crews helped make Montlake matchday-ready.