CHESTER, Pa. – U.S. Women’s National Team starter Emma Hayes’ substitutions kept them alive against No. 1-ranked Spain on Tuesday.
Hayes watched her team draw 2-2 with the reigning Women’s World Cup to boost their confidence heading into November’s CONCACAF W Championship. Three days after the USWNT failed to make their chances count in a 2-0 loss to Sonia Bermudez’s team, they showed similarities to past USA squads by never giving up and fighting until the final whistle.
Hayes was hoping for a better first-half performance but was impressed with his side’s fightback after the break to get something out of the match.
“They were fearless,” Hayes said of the band’s second-half performance. “[We] sometimes it is necessary. Sometimes it’s easier when you get into a game like this. The case is really clear and you have nothing to lose, so I was impressed with the fearlessness of the second part.”
Ashley Sanchez leveled for the USWNT early in the second half with a smart, right-footed finish and Mallory Swanson came off the bench to tap in Michelle Cooper’s cross four minutes before stoppage time.
For Sanchez, it was his first international goal in four years, his second at Chester’s Subaru Park and fourth overall in USWNT colours. After delivering a lively cameo off the bench on Saturday, Sanchez rewarded Hayes with his start on Tuesday.
“I thought he did a great job,” Hayes said of Sanchez. “His experience, his ability to impart knowledge. That’s something he’s told me he wants to do more of. I’m glad he’s accomplished that goal.”
As for Swanson, it was her first USWNT result since scoring in the Gold Medal Game of the 2024 Paris Olympics. The 28-year-old now has 39 international goals in 10 years as a national team player, remaining a key veteran in the squad, a dangerous attacking threat on the pitch.
Hayes supports Swanson continuing to play at a high level for the USWNT, especially leading up to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“Mal has improved every day in training, we didn’t think he was ready for 45 minutes but we pushed and I told him it was another training session. [World Cup] having him at this level,” Hayes said. “He’s in a better place to perform more consistently. I will continue to say, he is an important player for us.”
Several other substitutes played a big role in the comeback, including Kate Del Fava, Lily Yohannes and Alyssa Thompson.
Del Fava’s lofted long ball helped set up Cooper’s final run in the Swanson finish. Yohannes came close to winning the match in stoppage time as he watched Spain and Arsenal goalkeeper Misa make a heroic diving save from the Lyon midfielder’s long-range shot from the bottom right corner.
Hayes praised the impact of all his replacements, admitting they sparked the rest of the band.
“Then we gained momentum,” Hayes said. “Sometimes [it’s] it’s hard to do [subs] all at the same time, but they came on at the right time, they affected the game, and in the memory of the game, I think we probably could have won in the end.”
The USWNT may not enter World Cup Qualifying on a winning record, but they will know that the depth of their squad is special, especially leading into the tournament.
It will be interesting to see how Hayes determines who is more valuable in the starting lineup and bench, and who will be healthy in time for the Nov. 27 showdown with El Salvador.