US Professional Lacrosse Players Show Their Amazing Skills in Japan

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American men's and women's lacrosse players belonging to their nation's professional leagues visited Japan and had games against Japanese players at Fujitsu Stadium Kawasaki on Saturday, March 15.

In both games, the US teams won by an overwhelming margin, while Japanese players and spectators were attracted by their opponents' amazing and super plays.

The event, called Sekai Crosse 2025, was organized by Sachiyo Yamada, a Japanese businesswoman and a professional lacrosse player. She was an Australian national team player at the 2017 Women's Lacrosse World Cup and the team finished in fourth place.

This is the sixth Sekai Crosse event since 2017. Yamada invited players belonging to the men's Premier Lacrosse League (PLL) and the Women's Lacrosse League. Sekai Crosse selected the players for the national squads for this event.

Women's Lacrosse Match Featured Sixes Format

In Saturday's women's game, the six-player system was used. This format will also be used at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Each team has six players on the field. They fight in four 8-minute quarters.

For six-a-side lacrosse, the field is about two-thirds the size of a standard field.

In addition, players have to take a shot within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. It makes the game more rapid and exciting.

Team USA defeated Team Japan 20-10 in the women's match.

All the US players except the squad's goalies scored with quick plays and accurate shots.

American Lizzie Colson, recipient of the MVP prize said, "This is my third time traveling to Japan. I was excited to feel that Japanese players are developing their skills every year."　

Japan's Nene Kawai, who scored two points in the game, spoke about the experience in an interview.

"Foreign players have long limbs, that is their physical advantage," Kawai said. "As I am good at one-on-one [play], I tried to do it without giving up."

She added, "The game was a good experience for me."

Men's Lacrosse Match Featured 10-Player Format

With the standard 10-man-a-side system, the Americans and Japanese competed in a men's match with a slightly shorter time span.

Instead of playing normal 15-minute quarters, they played four 12-minute periods.

Team USA won 20-2. In its lopsided loss, Japan also had an own goal.

The distinguished US participants from the PLL played quickly and took strong shots, overpowering Team Japan.

American MVP Romar Dennis scored a team-best four points.

"I am convinced many Japanese players will join the PLL in the future," Dennis said.

PLL President Paul Rabil, head coach of the US squad for the Sekai Crosse event, spoke about Japan's lacrosse development during his visit.

"Most Japanese players start lacrosse at college first, but they have developed their position at fifth [both men's and women's in the world rankings] recently," Rabil commented.

"It's amazing. To develop Japanese lacrosse more, I want to teach and help Japanese younger players at primary school. Second, I want to give Japanese players more chances to experience [competition] with US top-level players. That makes Japanese lacrosse develop more."

How did Japan goalie Kenta Ogawa describe the experience of facing Team USA in Sekai Crosse 2025?

"I felt keenly the strong shots of the world's top players, and felt frustrated," said Ogawa. He added, "I have to train hard for the future."

Aspirations of Sekai Crosse Organizer

Before the weekend matches in Kawasaki, Sekai Crosse organizer Yamada outlined her ambitions for the fast-moving sport.

"I want lacrosse to be a sport full of hope, [so] children want to be lacrosse players when they are grown up," Yamada said. "To develop Japanese lacrosse, I want to make useful chances to have games with the world's top-level players. That will be good for the development of Japanese lacrosse."

Sekai Crosse began in 2017, but there were no matches in 2020, 2021 and '22 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the competition resumed, it is a precious chance for Japanese lacrosse players and fans to experience competing against and watching, respectively, top-level global players.

A Look Ahead

The 2026 World Lacrosse Women's Championship will be held in Tokyo, and the 2027 World Lacrosse Men's Championship will also be held in Japan at a to-be-announced city.

Stay tuned for more lacrosse coverage on SportsLook and JAPAN Forward.