The No. 2 USWNT faced No. 1 Spain in the first of two friendlies at Audi Field in Washington on Saturday.
The two are favorites to bring home the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and have gone into these matches looking to make a big statement.
Patri Guijarro’s long-range shot put the visitors on the board in the third minute. The midfielder had acres of space in front of him and took advantage of the lack of pressure. In the 14th minute, Salma Paralluelo beat Tierna Davidson one-on-one and delivered a pinpoint pass to the unmarked Eva Navarro to double the lead.
The only flaws for the current champions? Natalia Ramos missed a free kick against Sophia Wilson and Atheea del Castillo was sent off for violent conduct (hair pulling).
Spain’s difference in this match was clinical finishing as they pounced on every mistake from the hosts. The top-seeded side needed just six shots (for three wickets) to defeat the hosts.
The USWNT’s struggles in the first half saw them chase the game the rest of the way. They squandered chances when they had them, although it resulted in good attacking sequences.
In the 70th minute, Lili Yohannes’s stuttering penalty attempt was denied by Adriana Nanclares.
Who shined in the first of two friendlies and who failed to seize the moment?
Alyssa Thompson: A player for whom Spain has absolutely no answer.
In the 11th minute, he delivered the ball into the box, which almost ensured Rodman’s goal.
Five minutes later, he received the ball from Wilson and rounded goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares. He should have finished the chance, but only a few players in the world can make it happen, and Thompson is one of them.
In the 40th minute, he showed a yellow card to Lucia Corrales.
It was one heck of a performance from a winger who looked like his last starting spot in the front line would be his.
Sophia Wilson: The striker was effective in all aspects of the match. His defensive intensity, speed on counters and playmaking were eye-catching. Wilson’s connection with Thompson shined in the first half, while Rodman shined in the second half.
In the 53rd minute, he completed a pass from Rodman, but was later ruled offside.
Although not converted by Yohannes, Wilson fouled Natalia Ramos in the box in the 67th minute. He is 11/11 in his career in penalty kicks in the NWSL, could Hayes overtake him soon?
She led the USWNT in shots, shots on goal, touches in the opposition box, successful dribbles, chances created and fouls.
Ashley Sanchez: For the first time since October 30, 2024, the NWSL MVP favorite will win the USWNT cap – 66th minute.
Emily Fox: Took a while to settle, but Fox made plenty of goal-saving tackles and ignited numerous counter-attacks. He led the backline team with seven defensive contributions, nine clearances and six tackles.
Claire Hutton: The absence of Sam Coffey should have opened the door for a defensive midfielder to replace him, but head coach Emma Hayes opted for Lindsey Heaps and Lily Yohannes in a double rotation. Hutton is still regarded as one of the top six in the NWSL and will have work to do to get more opportunities. However, in the second half, he stabilized control of a match that was once underdogs and is now likely to start in the second friendly against Spain, adding to that impression.
Gisele Thompson: After he succumbed early in the second half, the left side of Rodman and Thompson shone brightly and gave Spain more than they were capable of. Patterson’s early struggles will open up more opportunities for the Angel City FC star.
Trinity Rodman: It was a two-part story for the superstar who shined in the second half after Thompson came on. He almost had an assist before the goal was disallowed and started to put more pressure on Spain’s back line with and without the ball. Rodman was first on the team in fumble recoveries, second in punts, field goals, field goals, fouls won and defensive contributions.
Central Defense: Neither Kennedy Wesley nor Tierna Davidson did enough to set themselves apart when looking for a CB partner with Naomi Girma. Their nightmare opening 15 minutes included a jarring sequence – Davidson, trying to cover Wesley in midfield, was beaten 1-v-1 by Paralluelo, who found an unmarked Navarro. After that they cleaned it up a lot, but by then it was too late.
Avery Patterson: Despite being in the full backline in both goals conceded, Patterson was close to the action each time. He completed just 16/21 passes (76%) in the first half and struggled on the ball, trying to stop Spain’s attack with just two defensive contributions. He was replaced by Gisele Thompson early in the second half. It’s also important to note that the Houston Dash FB is a natural right back, just like ACFC’s Thompson – both have been asked to play on the left in this match.
Emma Hayes and the quarterback: Instead of replacing Sam Coffey with another defensive midfielder, Emma Hayes opted for a midfield of Rose Lavelle, Lily Johannes and Lindsey Heaps. With all three players traditionally better in attacking roles, the balance in the middle of the park was immediately lost to Spain. All three struggled to help out defensively, and none of them did a good enough job protecting the back line. What did the whole day entail for the group? Yohannes missed a PK in the 70th minute.
Claudia Dickey: It came down to either Dickey or Tullis-Joyce in the goalkeeping race. Unfortunately for the Seattle Reign backstop, people will only remember what happened in key moments.
He faced three shots from Spain and made only one save.
USWNT vs Spain: Rematch
Both sides would make a few changes in the second leg.
Emma Hayes made four changes to the starting XI with Sanchez, Thompson, Hutton and Phallon Tullis-Joyce.
Sonia Bermúdez responded with six changes for Spain.
In the 27th minute, the lack of pressure in the entire sequence gave Spain a 1-0 lead with a goal scored by Alexia Putellas. Five minutes later, the visitors took advantage of Tullis-Joyce’s distribution, Putellas caught Tierna Davidson asleep and Salma Paralluelo clinically doubled the lead.
Sophia Wilson handled the counter-attack brilliantly in the 49th minute when Ashley Sanchez made it 1-2. It was the NC Courage winger’s first international goal since 2022.
Taking a long ball away from USWNT debutant Kate Del Fava in the 86th minute, Michelle Cooper took the ball into the box and laid it past Mallory Swanson for an incredible volley to make it 0-2.
Emily Fox: The best player in the friendlies was the Arsenal defender. After a great opening match, Fox led the team in defensive contributions, interceptions and tackles. The only question is who will start in front of him?
Ashley Sanchez: In her first start for the USWNT since 2024, the NWSL MVP front-runner gave them a much-needed spark on offense.
Mallory Swanson: The Chicago Stars forward always scores in the biggest moments, and this was no different. As his team desperately searched for an equaliser, he took a touch and then fired home – his first goal since the 2024 Olympic Games winner.
Lily Johannes: The young midfielder came on as a substitute in the second half and dominated proceedings with his playmaking. In the 69th minute, he almost scored Swanson’s equalizer and nearly found the game-winner in the dying seconds of regulation time.
Michelle Cooper: The KC Current forward has a work rate that can’t be matched on offense or defense. He assisted Swanson in the game and will likely be a key contributor off the bench and a spot starter for the senior team moving forward.
Kate Del Fava: The Utah Royals center fielder was the latest name added to the USWNT, and he made his first appearance a memorable one. Although he was not awarded an assist, his accurate pass led to the equalizer.
Kennedy Wesley: A solid performance from the San Diego Wave captain as he was first in clearances and blocks. In addition, he was second on the team in defensive contributions and duels won. The scary part? Wesley also completed 49/56 passes with 88% accuracy.
Phallon Tullis-Joyce: The Manchester United goalkeeper made his presence felt immediately with a one-on-one save from Clara Pinedo in the 14th minute.
Unfortunately, there were two glaring errors in Spain’s second goal.
Distribution struggles will also continue for the backstop. In the 32nd minute, his long ball immediately found the Spanish player and they continued to exploit the goal. In this score, GK was beaten near the post.
The competition for the position is wide as Hayes will have to make a decision.
Tender Davidson: She could very well earn a starting spot opposite Naomi Girma, but those two performances in key moments against Spain were no small feat. The centre-back was close to the action in all four goals conceded by the top-flight side, whether he was out of position or beaten one-on-one in crucial situations. Against the top sides, you cannot afford these “mistakes”. After these friendlies, he may have lost ground in the CB race.
Defensive woes: Despite every goal conceded being “preventable,” it was a lack of urgency that cost the USWNT repeatedly during the two friendlies. Spain capitalized on mistakes and exploited gaps in a relaxed defense en route to four goals.
Don’t finish: The offense generated 27 shots on 16 goals in two matches against Spain. It took two shots to find the back of the net from Sanchez and Swanson. The lack of finishing will be a major talking point moving forward, especially from Rodman and Wilson, who are billed as the two starters.