The United States women’s national soccer team rallied from a two-goal deficit to draw 2-2 with reigning World Cup champion Spain in an international friendly on Tuesday night in Chester, Pennsylvania. The match marked the second meeting between the two teams in four days, following Spain’s 2-0 victory at Audi Field in Washington, D.C.
Spain took an early lead in both matches, asserting their status as the top-ranked team in the world. In Tuesday’s game, Alexia Putellas opened the scoring in the 27th minute with her 43rd international goal, a close-range finish assisted by Clara Pinedo. Shortly after, Salma Paralluelo doubled Spain’s advantage following a misplay by U.S. goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, curling a shot off the crossbar into the net. Spain played without Aitana Bonmati, who remains sidelined due to a lingering leg injury from last year, and did not include former Gotham FC forward Esther González in the squad.
The United States, ranked second globally, struggled to contain Spain early on and conceded two first-half goals in back-to-back matches for the first time since 2011. However, the Americans mounted a second-half comeback. Ashley Sanchez scored early in the half after receiving a pass from Sophia Wilson, beating the Spanish goalkeeper in a clinical finish. Sanchez, who made her first start since October 2024, has been a standout for the North Carolina Courage in the National Women’s Soccer League, leading the league with 20 goals in 27 matches.
The equalizer came in the 86th minute when Mallory Swanson, who entered as a substitute, volleyed home a long ball from Michelle Cooper. Swanson’s goal ended a scoring drought dating back to the 2024 Olympic gold medal match. She celebrated by embracing teammate Jaelin Howell, highlighting her return following a year-long maternity leave after the birth of her daughter.
U.S. head coach Emma Hayes emphasized the progress still needed to reach Spain’s level, acknowledging that the world champions have set a new standard. “They’re world class; we’re still in progress,” she said. The Americans have traditionally been a dominant force in women’s soccer, having placed no lower than third in eight of the nine World Cups prior to their recent Round of 16 exit, while Spain claimed the last tournament.
Midfielder Lindsey Heaps described the matches as valuable learning opportunities ahead of the United States’ World Cup qualification campaign, which begins later this year at the CONCACAF W Championship. Sanchez echoed the team’s ambition to retake the top spot, saying, “That’s always the standard that we’ve had… The goal is always to win.”
With the women’s World Cup set to be held in Brazil next summer, these friendlies represent crucial benchmarks for both teams as they prepare for the global tournament. Spain has already secured qualification, while the United States aims to regain momentum after a historic early exit in the previous World Cup.