Photo Credit: Jamie LeBlanc-Imagn Images
In the first of two friendlies against Spain, the US women’s national team lost 0-2 at Audi Field in Washington. While the Americans displayed impressive attacking creativity, they lacked the quality to finish off the chances displayed by the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup champions.
Spain opened the scoring only in the third minute with Patri Guijarro’s long-range shot.
Spain doubled their lead 15 minutes before the game. This time Eva Navarro ran completely unmarked on a cross from Salma Paralluelo at the back post. After a high-energy USA response to the opening goal and some good opportunities, scoring showed both Spain’s high-level clinic and America’s defensive issues.
Head coach Emma Hayes went with a mix of experience and youth in her starting lineup. Claudia Dickey, Kennedy Wesley and Tierna Davidson started between the sticks, with Avery Patterson, left, and Emily Fox, right. The midfield trio of Lindsey Heaps, Lily Johannes and Rose Lavelle lacked a natural anchor. Plus, two thirds of Triple Espresso, Trinity Rodman and Sophia Wilson, were joined by Alyssa Thompson.
The attacking unit created more quality opportunities than the indicated score line. Wilson had a number of close calls that showed his individual brilliance, one with a long-range cross in the 27th minute and another that went inches wide of the far post near the break after impressive work in space. Other chances were clearer, such as when Thompson played against the Spanish keeper, but a touch and near-challenge around the diving keeper gave the defense just the right amount of time to pull back and block the final shot.
At half-time, Hayes made a change, replacing Patterson with Gisele Thompson. His team was on the front attack, creating the best scoring opportunities. Wilson actually put the ball in the back of the net in the 53rd minute, completing a one-on-one opportunity after being sent behind by Rodman, but VAR called it back for offside. Other chances went to waste as another isolated opportunity against Spain’s goalscorer 10 minutes later saw Heaps chip the ball away from the keeper, who picked it out but Lavelle was not prepared to return the pass to him.
Hayes made three more substitutions in the 66th minute. Mallory Swason made her first appearance in the field to get a triple espresso in 730 days together, Claire Hutton came to anchor the midfield and Ashley Sanchez made her first senior appearance since October 30, 2024.
The USA had a golden opportunity to reduce the deficit when Wilson scored a penalty just before the 70th minute. It was awarded after the video review and Yohannes stepped up to take it, but Adriana Nanclares made the save.
Hayes’ final substitution of the night was Michelle Cooper, who replaced Fox in the 82nd minute. Usually a striker, Cooper was assigned to play at right-back. He sent off Spain’s Atheea del Castillo just before stoppage time for pulling her hair.
The hosts continued to create quality opportunities, but failed to score. They outscored Spain 13-6, had 10 shots to Spain’s three goals and outscored the opposition 38-14. The reigning Olympic champions, who did not have the necessary effectiveness against the reigning World Cup champions, were left without points. On October 13th in Chester, Pennsylvania, they will have a chance for redemption.
