Chester, Pa. — The United States Women’s National Team showed resilience and determination Tuesday night, overcoming a two-goal deficit to secure a 2-2 draw against Spain in front of 18,648 fans at Subaru Park.
Following a 2-0 defeat to Spain in Washington, D.C., three days earlier, the Americans found themselves facing another difficult challenge after the reigning world champions scored twice in the first half. However, second-half goals from Ashley Sanchez and Mallory Swanson sparked the U.S. comeback and prevented Spain from completing another victory.
The match also marked the return of both Sanchez and Swanson to the national team lineup. Each forward made her first USWNT appearance in nearly two years, and both made an immediate impact on the scoreboard.
Sanchez cut the deficit in half in the 49th minute, while Swanson delivered the equalizer four minutes before the end of regulation. With her goal, Swanson became the 12th mother to score for the U.S. women’s national team.
Head coach Emma Hayes made four adjustments to her starting lineup, giving Phallon Tullis-Joyce the start in goal while adding Sanchez to the attack, Claire Hutton to the midfield and Gisele Thompson to the defensive unit.
Tullis-Joyce faced early pressure from Spain and was called upon to make two saves during the opening 15 minutes. Her most impressive stop came on a close-range attempt that she pushed away with one hand.
Spain continued to press and eventually broke through in the 27th minute. Clara Serrajordi delivered a curling ball across the American penalty area, where Clara Pinedo allowed the pass to travel through to Alexia Putellas. The Spanish midfielder finished from close range near the left post.
The goal underwent an extended video review because of a possible offside infraction involving Pinedo. Officials ultimately determined that the Spanish attacker was onside, allowing the goal to stand.
Spain extended its advantage five minutes later, capitalizing on a costly mistake during the American buildup. Under pressure, U.S. defender Emily Fox sent a backward pass toward Tullis-Joyce, but the attempted clearance went directly to Putellas.
The two-time world player of the year seized the opportunity, advancing through the middle before threading a pass between defenders to Salma Paralluelo on the right. Paralluelo carried the ball into the penalty area and unleashed a right-footed shot that struck the underside of the crossbar before crossing the goal line.
Trailing 2-0, the Americans attempted to generate an answer before halftime.
Fox switched the ball to Sanchez on the left in the 34th minute. Sanchez attacked the defense, cut inside onto her right foot and fired toward goal, but her attempt missed the target.
The United States created another opportunity just before the interval when Rose Lavelle delivered a free kick from approximately 30 yards away. Trinity Rodman connected with a header, but the attempt went directly to Spanish goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.
The Americans carried that attacking intent into the second half and finally broke through four minutes after the restart.
Sophia Wilson received possession near midfield, fought through a challenge and accelerated toward Spain’s goal. She then moved the ball to Sanchez on the left flank. Sanchez drove into the penalty area, used a stutter-step to create space against her defender and sent a low right-footed shot into the bottom-right corner.
The goal was Sanchez’s first for the national team since July 14, 2022, while Wilson recorded her 12th international assist.
The U.S. continued to push forward as Hayes introduced five substitutes around the hour mark, injecting fresh energy into the attack.
Sanchez later found Lily Yohannes near the center circle, and Yohannes immediately slipped a pass behind Spain’s defensive line for Swanson. The forward sprinted toward goal and attempted to finish with her left foot, but Rodriguez stretched to make the save.
Swanson’s next opportunity proved decisive.
In the 80th minute, Kate Del Fava entered the match and made her senior national team debut at age 28. Six minutes later, Del Fava launched a long ball down the right side behind Spain’s defense.
Michelle Cooper collected the pass and showed patience inside the penalty area before locating Swanson, who had found space in the middle. As the ball bounced into the air, Swanson struck a superb right-footed volley from approximately 15 yards out, sending it into the lower-left corner to level the match at 2-2.
The goal was Swanson’s first for the national team since scoring the decisive goal in the United States’ Olympic gold-medal victory on Aug. 10, 2024. Cooper earned her third international assist.
The Americans nearly completed the comeback in the closing moments. Yohannes unleashed a shot from outside the penalty area that deflected off a Spanish defender and appeared destined for the bottom-right corner. Rodriguez reacted brilliantly, scooping the ball away to preserve the draw.
Although the United States did not secure the winning goal, its second-half performance provided a strong response after falling behind by multiple goals for the second consecutive meeting with Spain.
The USWNT will next compete in the 2026 Concacaf W Championship quarterfinals in Mansfield, Texas. The Americans are scheduled to face El Salvador on Nov. 27, with a victory securing a place in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Goal-Scoring Summary
Spain — Alexia Putellas, 27th minute: Putellas finished from close range after Clara Serrajordi sent a ball across the U.S. penalty area and Clara Pinedo let it run through. USA 0, Spain 1.
Spain — Salma Paralluelo, 32nd minute: Putellas intercepted a poor U.S. clearance and set up Paralluelo, who fired a shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the goal. USA 0, Spain 2.
United States — Ashley Sanchez, 49th minute: Sophia Wilson drove forward before passing to Sanchez, who created space inside the box and finished low into the right corner. USA 1, Spain 2.
United States — Mallory Swanson, 86th minute: Michelle Cooper collected Kate Del Fava’s long pass and set up Swanson, who scored with a right-footed volley from approximately 15 yards. USA 2, Spain 2.
