USWNT looks to take the measure of Spain ahead of the 2027 World Cup

Two matches, one goal: test yourself against the best team in the world before it really counts. The US women's national team is already training at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, with an eye on the upcoming pair of friendlies against Spain, the reigning world champions, which will serve as a gauge on the road to the 2027 World Cup.

Midfielder Rose Lavelle didn't hold back when describing what these matches mean. For her, every training camp is a chance to build on what came before, and Spain represents exactly that: a demanding test that offers lessons beyond the final score.

It'll be a really good measuring stick for us and a great learning and growth opportunity no matter what the result is. Obviously we always go into every game expecting to win, but we also want to use it as a huge growth opportunity.Rose Lavelle

Head coach Emma Hayes went further, admitting that she herself pushed to get Spain on the schedule for this FIFA window. Her reasoning is simple: if you want to arrive ready for a World Cup, you need to be tested against the best beforehand.

They also know they're facing another top side, and I want them to feel the full weight of what that means. But as we learned from the games against Japan and against Brazil, there will be lessons to carry from the first game into the second. All of that is about positioning ourselves for knockout football.Emma Hayes

This isn't the first time in 2024 that the US has put itself through this kind of test. Earlier they hosted Japan in a three game series, which the Americans won 2-1, and traveled to Brazil for two friendlies played in hostile conditions that ended split. With Canada also factored in, Spain will be the fourth top 10 opponent the US has faced so far this year.

Unfinished business with Spain

The most recent meeting between the two sides doesn't favor the United States: Spain won 2-0 in Pamplona in 2022, in the buildup to a 2023 World Cup that Spain itself went on to win. Lavelle was candid about how tough this matchup has historically been.

They're the number one team in the world right now and for good reason. It's an incredible team and I think the last few times we've played them, we really struggled. So I think this is the first time we're facing them under this new cycle and with the new coaching staff. It's an exciting opportunity to see where we stack up.Rose Lavelle

Hayes made clear that her own win record doesn't keep her up at night: what matters is arriving prepared for the World Cup, and she even said she still hopes to add an African opponent before next summer. Before any of that, though, the United States needs to lock up its qualification, something it would clinch with a win over El Salvador next month.

The roster won't be at full strength. Defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Sam Coffey withdrew from the call-up due to injuries sustained in the past week. On the other hand, there's good news on the attacking front: both Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson returned to the group after becoming mothers for the first time.

Swanson, who rejoined the squad in June for the trip to Brazil without actually playing, said she's feeling better from the hip injury that had sidelined her. If she does take the field against Spain, it will be her first match with the national team since October 2024.

Obviously it's an honor to be called up. Every time it happens, I'm super grateful. I think I'm still building back all my strength and my level of play. Every woman's body is so different after pregnancy.Mallory Swanson

The first match of this series will be played on October 10 at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., and the second, three days later, on October 13 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.