USWNT fights back to draw Spain 2-2 after late Swanson goal
Web StoryWatch this story in 15 seconds →Key takeaways
- Spain led 2-0 at halftime. The United States scored twice after the break.
- Ashley Sanchez scored in the 49th minute. Mallory Swanson tied the game in the 86th.
- The draw came three days after a 2-0 loss to Spain. Next comes El Salvador on November 27.
The USWNT drew Spain 2-2 on October 13. Spain led 2-0 at halftime. Then the United States scored twice in the second half. The friendly took place at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
USWNT stands for the United States women's national team A friendly is a match with no trophy at stake Teams use these games to test players and build form.
This one tested the United States to the limit The team passed the test with a late fight back.
Ashley Sanchez started the fight back Mallory Swanson finished it late The draw felt like a win after a hard week.
It also gave the team a base to build on.
What happened
Our preview of this second friendly set up the rematch Spain had won the first game 2-0. That match took place on October 10 in Washington, D C.
The United States wanted a better result this time Spain wanted a second straight win.
Coach Emma Hayes made four changes to the starting lineup Phallon Tullis-Joyce started in goal Gisele Thompson started in defense.
Claire Hutton started in midfield Sanchez also started in attack The new faces brought fresh legs and fresh hope.
The start was calm and even The United States pressed high up the field Spain stayed patient and waited for gaps.
Then Spain struck twice in five minutes The goals changed the whole game.
Spain struck first in the 27th minute Clara Serrajordi crossed the ball from the right Clara Pinedo let it run through to the back post.
Alexia Putellas finished from close range The goal gave Spain a 1-0 lead It also quieted the home crowd.
Five minutes later, Spain scored again A poor clearance fell to Putellas She raced up the field with the ball.
Then she fed Salma Paralluelo Paralluelo scored with a strong finish Spain led 2-0 after 32 minutes.
The halftime score stayed 2-0.
Halftime is the break in the middle of a match Teams rest and make plans during the break The United States needed a new plan.
Spain looked in full control But the second half told a new story.
Sanchez pulled one back in the 49th minute Sophia Wilson drove forward on a fast break Her pass pushed Sanchez out wide.
Sanchez cut inside and found space She curled a shot into the far corner The goal made the score 2-1.
It was her fourth goal for the United States It was her first since 2022. It was a big moment for Sanchez She had worked hard to return to the team.
The goal showed her sharp form.
The United States kept pushing after that goal Hayes made five changes on the hour mark Michelle Cooper came on as a sub.
Swanson came on as a sub too A sub is a player who enters the game late Lily Yohannes also came on.
The fresh players lifted the pace.
Swanson tied the game in the 86th minute Cooper raced onto a long ball up the field She turned and found Swanson inside the box.
Swanson took one touch to settle the ball Then she struck it out of the air into the corner The goal made the score 2-2.
It was her 39th goal for the United States It was her first since the 2024 Olympic gold-medal game She scored the winner in that Olympic final.
This goal felt just as sweet for her It capped a long road back.
Swanson returned to the team this month after time away She gave birth to her daughter last fall, according to US Soccer Her return has lifted the whole squad.
Her late goal showed her class at the right time.
The drama did not end there Yohannes almost won the match late Her shot took a slight touch on its way.
Spain goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez saved it at full stretch The final whistle came soon after The final score was 2-2.
Why it matters
Spain is the top-ranked team in the world. The United States sits at No 2. Spain won the Women's World Cup in 2023. So this draw came against the best team on the planet. That fact gives the result real weight.
Three days earlier, Spain had beaten the United States 2-0. Spain scored two first-half goals in that game too The same pattern almost played out again This time, the United States found an answer.
That answer shows growth in just three days.
The comeback also showed the depth of the squad Hayes changed four starters from the first game Then her subs made the real difference.
Cooper set up the tying goal Swanson scored it Strong benches win big games.
This bench proved its worth.
The result also protects belief inside the team A second loss in four days would have hurt A draw after a 2-0 gap lifts spirits.
It tells the players that no game is lost It tells fans that this team keeps fighting.
Hayes praised her team's fight after the game, according to SBI Soccer She liked the will to come back from 2-0 down She also said her team is still a work in progress.
The coach wants more growth before the big events This draw gives her a base for that work.
Swanson's goal matters beyond one game too She is a star for this team Her return adds goals and calm in big moments.
Her late strike will raise her own belief It will also raise belief across the squad.
Sanchez's goal matters as well She has scored goals all year for her club team Now she has scored again for her country.
Her form gives Hayes one more strong option More options help in long events with many games.
What happens next
The United States plays El Salvador next The match is on November 27. It is a Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal A win sends the team to the 2027 World Cup.
That prize makes the next game huge.
The team will rest first after two hard games Then camp will start again for November Hayes will pick her best squad for the event.
Form from these Spain games will shape her picks Sanchez and Swanson have both made strong cases.
The team will also study the first halves from these two games Spain scored early in both matches The United States must start games with more care.
A slow start can cost a game at the World Cup A fast start can set the tone instead.
Fans can look for more news from camp in the coming weeks Team news will name the roster for November It will also give injury updates.
Find more results on our sports page.
For now, the team can enjoy this draw A 2-0 gap is hard to close against Spain The United States closed it with heart and smart subs.
That fight is a good sign for the months ahead.
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