A Close Call for the USWNT
Real talk: the vibes were looking grim for the US women’s national team. After taking an L against Spain this past Saturday, the squad was staring down the barrel of another loss at home. Down 2-0, the team was lowkey on the verge of a full-blown panic.
But the squad shifted gears in the second half. Ashley Sanchez and Mal Swanson—both making their return after long absences from the team—came through with the goals we needed to lock in a 2-2 draw. For context, Sanchez hadn’t scored internationally in 1,648 days, and Swanson’s drought was 801 days. They absolutely ate, saving the team from total disaster in front of a crowd of 18,648 in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Breaking Down the Match
USWNT head coach Emma Hayes switched up the lineup, starting Phallon Tullis-Joyce in goal and adding Ashley Sanchez, Claire Hutton, and Gisele Thompson to the mix. Despite the shake-up, Spain—the top-ranked team in the world—showed exactly why they’re the current gold standard. Two-time Ballon d’Or winner Alexia Putellas opened the scoring, and Salma Paraluello added a second shortly after following a defensive error.
It wasn't until the 50th minute that the US found their rhythm. A counterattack saw Sofia Wilson find Sanchez, who delivered a clinical finish. Later, a 40-yard pass from debutant Kate Del Fava reached Michelle Cooper, who set up Swanson to tie it up. The team almost pulled off a miraculous win in stoppage time, but Lily Yohannes’ final effort was saved by Spain’s keeper Misa Rodríguez.
Why it matters
With the 2027 World Cup just 255 days away, the US still has work to do. We are officially winless against Spain for six years, and their possession-heavy style is clearly giving us trouble. The squad has some time to course-correct before they face El Salvador on November 27 in a high-stakes match that directly affects our World Cup qualification. It’s crunch time, and the pressure is officially on.
