USWNT vs. Spain: Friendlies Recap

The USWNT, ranked second, faced off against the top-ranked Spain in their first of two friendly matches on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.

Both teams are seen as top contenders for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup, and they approached these games eager to make an impact.

Spain took an early lead, thanks to Patri Guijarro’s long-range strike just three minutes into the match. Given the space she had, it was a relatively simple finish. Shortly afterward, in the 14th minute, Salma Paralluelo got the better of Tierna Davidson in a one-on-one, delivering a perfect cross to an unmarked Eva Navarro, extending the lead.

However, Spain’s performance wasn’t without its mistakes. Natalia Ramos conceded a penalty for a foul on Sophia Wilson, and Athenea del Castillo received a red card for violent conduct, just three minutes after coming on as a substitute.

Spain’s efficiency was evident—they capitalized on every mistake by the USWNT, requiring only six shots, three of which were on target, to secure victory.

As for the USWNT, their first-half struggles forced them to play catch-up for the remainder of the match. Despite creating opportunities, they squandered them. In the 70th minute, Lily Yohannes’ penalty attempt was thwarted by Adriana Nanclares.

The game left some unanswered questions about which players stood out and who faltered.

Alyssa Thompson

She was a standout performer, showing Spain they had no answers for her skills. In the 11th minute, her pass nearly set up a goal for Rodman. A few minutes later, she rounded the keeper but failed to finish. Yet, her ability to create these chances highlighted her talent. By the 40th minute, she even drew a yellow card on Lucía Corrales. Overall, her performance suggests a strong bid for a starting role on the frontline.

Sophia Wilson

The forward was impactful throughout the match, contributing to both defense and attack. Her partnership with Thompson was particularly effective in the first half, and she was involved in various counterattacks. Although a goal she scored in the 53rd minute was disallowed for offside, she drew a foul in the box later on, raising curiosity about whether she’d be a preferred penalty taker in the future. She was the team’s leader in several key metrics, showing her influence on the game.

Ashley Sanchez

This match marked her first appearance for the USWNT since late 2024, coming on as a substitute in the 66th minute.

Emily Fox

After some initial adjustment, Fox stepped up, making crucial defensive plays and initiating counterattacks. She led the team in defensive interventions and clearances.

Claire Hutton

Hutton, though not initially called up to fill a midfield void, found her stride in her second-half substitution, stabilizing the team’s play. She might have a shot at solidifying her place in the next match.

Gisele Thompson

After replacing Patterson in the second half, she paired well with Rodman, creating problems for Spain.

Trinity Rodman

Rodman’s performance changed after Thompson’s entry—the two nearly combined for an assist, and she consistently pressured Spain’s defense.

Central Defense

Neither Kennedy Wesley nor Davidson distinguished themselves, with early mistakes leading to goals. Despite improvements later on, their shaky start was concerning.

Avery Patterson

Patterson struggled, completing only 76% of her passes in the first half and being involved in the defensive errors. She was subbed off at halftime.

Emma Hayes and Midfield

Head Coach Emma Hayes opted for an attacking midfield setup rather than replacing the absent Sam Coffey with a defensive midfielder, sacrificing balance. The group struggled defensively throughout.

Claudia Dickey

In the goalkeeping contest, she faced three shots but only made one save, which might not leave a lasting impression.

USWNT vs. Spain: The Rematch

In their second friendly, both teams adjusted their lineups.

Hayes made four changes in her starting lineup, bringing in Sanchez, Thompson, Hutton, and Phallon Tullis-Joyce.

Spain also implemented six changes to their squad.

A lack of defensive pressure led to Alexia Putellas scoring for Spain in the 27th minute. Soon after, Paralluelo capitalized on a defensive lapse to extend Spain’s lead to two goals.

In a remarkable display, Sophia Wilson led a counterattack that culminated in an Ashley Sanchez goal early in the second half, marking Sanchez’s first international goal since 2022.

In the 86th minute, after a long-ball assist from USWNT debutant Kate Del Fava, Michelle Cooper set up Mallory Swanson for a stunning volley, bringing the match to a 2-2 draw.

Emily Fox

Fox continued her strong performance, leading the team in defensive stats and raising questions about her future as a starting defender.

Ashley Sanchez

Her return to the starting lineup provided the attack with much-needed energy.

Mallory Swanson

Swanson came through in a crucial moment, scoring her first goal since the 2024 Olympics.

Lily Yohannes

She made an impact upon coming off the bench, nearly making an assist and showcasing her playmaking skills.

Michelle Cooper

Cooper’s relentless effort both in attack and defense was crucial in the equalizing goal and she could become an important asset moving forward.

Kate Del Fava

The newly capped defender had a memorable first appearance, making an impactful play though she might not receive an official assist for it.

Kennedy Wesley

Wesley’s solid performance included leading defensive stats and completing a high percentage of passes.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce

The goalkeeper made a notable one-on-one save but struggled with distribution that led to a second Spain goal.

Tierna Davidson

Though she could earn a starting position, her recent performances were not impressive. She was involved in each of the four goals conceded, raising concerns about her defensive reliability against stronger opponents.

Defensive Woes

Overall, the USWNT’s defensive lapses and lack of urgency were evident throughout the friendlies, allowing Spain to exploit mistakes with ease.

Finishing

The USWNT managed 27 shots across both matches but only scored two goals, underlining a pressing need for improvement, especially from key players expected to drive the offense.