USA storms back from 2-0 down to draw 2-2 with Spain on Sanchez, Swanson goals

Down two goals against the number one team in the world, with the sting of a loss just days earlier still fresh. That was the situation for the U.S. women's national team on Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. And yet the team walked away celebrating. Emma Hayes' side battled back to a 2-2 draw against Spain, the reigning world champions, in a friendly that had gotten away from them early.

The history wasn't encouraging: just Saturday, Spain had routed the hosts 2-0, scoring both goals inside the first 15 minutes. Hayes had asked her group to come out with more intensity and aggression for the rematch. The message only partly got through, because Spain struck first again.

Alexia Putellas opened the scoring in the 27th minute, tapping the ball in at the back post off a cross from Clara Serrajordi that sliced through the box. It was the 43rd international goal of the captain's career, coming in her 150th appearance for Spain. Five minutes later, in the 32nd minute, Spain doubled its lead: a misplayed pass out of the back from U.S. goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce fell to Salma Paralluelo, who finished off a shot that clipped the crossbar before dropping in.

The halftime score didn't tell the whole story. The United States had strung together decent stretches of possession and a few dangerous moments, but just like Saturday, it couldn't find the finish.

The second-half response

The second half brought a different team. Ashley Sanchez pulled one back just minutes after the restart, in the 49th minute, for her fourth career goal with the senior team and her first since scoring against Costa Rica back in 2022. She explained afterward how she settled on her finish against the opposing goalkeeper:

When I started to go at her I thought she was going to come out. And when she didn't, I knew I could probably put that shot in the far corner.Ashley Sanchez

Hayes turned to her bench early: Mallory Swanson came on for Rose Lavelle, and Alyssa Thompson replaced her sister Gisele in the 60th minute. With Lily Yohannes already on the field, the U.S. created a clearer chance in the 69th minute, when a through ball from Yohannes sent Swanson in alone, but her shot was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Misa Rodriguez.

The Chicago Stars forward, still working her way back to full speed after a long absence on maternity leave, didn't waste her second chance. In the 86th minute she received the ball at the edge of the box and volleyed it home to make it 2-2. It was her first goal for the national team in 795 days, her previous one having come in the 2024 Olympic final.

This team's mentality has always been to stay in the fight. That's what this crest means.Mallory Swanson

The draw allowed the United States to avoid a fourth loss of the year, following defeats to Japan, Brazil and Saturday's loss to Spain itself. According to match data, it also marked the first time in team history that the U.S. avoided defeat after trailing by two or more goals at halftime.

Sanchez summed up the feeling honestly:

Obviously we always want to win, that's the kind of team we are. I think with 20 more minutes we probably would have won. But it was good to tie a team like that after going down 2-0.Ashley Sanchez

Spain, despite missing players like Aitana Bonmati (still recovering from a leg fracture), Vicky Lopez, Mariona Caldentey and goalkeeper Cata Coll, was dominant for long stretches. On the home side, Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey were also unavailable due to injury.

The United States now turns its attention to November 27, when it faces El Salvador in the quarterfinals of the Concacaf W Championship. That match will also serve as World Cup qualifying, and a win would be enough for Hayes' team to secure its spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.