USWNT draws 2-2 with Spain and gets a clear look at the gap ahead of the 2027 World Cup

The United States women's national team battled to a 2-2 draw with Spain on Tuesday night in Chester, Pennsylvania, in a friendly that felt like far more than an exhibition match. In front of 18,648 fans, Alexia Putellas once again showed why she is one of the most decisive players on the planet and put Emma Hayes' team under serious pressure, but second-half goals from Ashley Sanchez and Mallory Swanson rescued the result for the Americans.

Key takeaways from the USWNT 2-2 Spain draw

• Mallory Swanson scored the 2-2 equalizer in the 86th minute and once again proved her value to the national team.
• Ashley Sanchez marked her first USWNT start since October 2024 with her first international goal since 2022.
• Emma Hayes acknowledged that Spain are the best team in the world and that the United States still have ground to make up.
• Naomi Girma missed the camp after picking up an injury with Chelsea.
• The USWNT face El Salvador in November at the Concacaf W Championship, which serves as World Cup qualifying.

Spain show why they are the team to beat worldwide

The reigning world champions displayed in Chester exactly why they sit at the top of the women's game. Spain were compact in defense, patient in possession and ruthless when it came to dragging their opponents out of position and punishing mistakes. Alexia Putellas carved through the American central defense with the ease that has become her trademark, and for long stretches Sonia Bermúdez's side controlled the tempo of the match.

That sense of superiority used to belong to the USWNT, a team that for years entered tournaments as the overwhelming favorite. But the landscape has shifted. The Americans are no longer the team to beat; they are merely one of several contenders, and nights like this reinforce the idea that small details decide outcomes among the world's elite.

The USWNT's fighting spirit shows up in the second half

The script went sideways early for the hosts. Emily Fox tried to set a physical tone in the opening minutes, but that bite faded and a lapse in defensive awareness helped gift Spain their second goal. Trailing on the scoreboard, the United States needed a spark and found it on the left wing.

Ashley Sanchez, making her first start since October 2024, took on two Spanish defenders and produced a composed finish to pull one back. It was her first international goal since 2022 and a reward for the form she has been showing with the North Carolina Courage. Her chance was worth just 0.17 expected goals, but the quality of the finish was all that mattered.

Mallory Swanson remains the offensive game-breaker for the USWNT

With time running out and Spain looking likely to take the win, Mallory Swanson stepped up to make it 2-2 in the 86th minute. The forward continues to prove why she is essential to Emma Hayes' project, especially after returning to top form following the birth of her child. At the Paris Olympics she scored four goals and added two assists in just six matches, numbers that cement her status as one of the most impactful players in women's soccer.

Getting Swanson back to her best is a priority for the coaching staff. Her ability to decide tight games and her scoring instinct in the final minutes represent exactly the kind of weapon the United States will need when they face Spain and other elite teams at the World Cup.

Locker-room reaction: pride and belief in the project

I'm so pumped for them. Sanchez is back for the first time in a bit, and I think she earned that goal. She's been playing so incredibly for her club, and I think she capitalized on the opportunities that she was given. For Mal, coming back from having a baby is no easy feat at all, and she does it with such grace. I'm just happy for them both, and for the team to have two players who can come into a game like this and do that is incredible for us.

Lavelle's words capture the mood of a locker room that values collective growth over any single result. Seeing teammates score in high-pressure moments reinforces the belief that this squad has enough depth and quality to go toe-to-toe with anyone.

What the USWNT face next on the road to the 2027 World Cup

The draw against Spain offers valuable lessons for a team in transition. In November, the USWNT will enter the Concacaf W Championship with an opening match against El Salvador, a tournament that doubles as the qualification route for the 2027 World Cup. The short turnaround between camps should help Hayes build continuity and deepen relationships across the squad, something that was harder during the long break between the June friendlies against Brazil and this October window.

The coaching staff has now used 46 players this year, a new record for the program. The strategy is clear: evaluate as many pieces as possible before settling on the best XI for the World Cup. The debut of Kate Del Fava, who recorded an assist in her first senior appearance, reinforces that commitment to broadening the player pool.

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