The Americans fell, 2-0, in a clash of the world’s top two teams.
Two years after the U.S. women’s soccer team claimed gold at the Paris Olympics, the next global test is at last on the horizon. The World Cup looms next summer in Brazil. The Americans can punch their ticket to that showcase next month. At long last, the lengthy gap between major tournaments — and the corresponding barrage of friendlies — will give way to games that matter.
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But if Saturday’s 2-0 loss to Spain at Audi Field was any indication, the Americans still have a ways to go before contending for their fifth World Cup title.
“I’m frustrated,” U.S. Coach Emma Hayes said. “I’m disappointed. But I’m not deterred.”
In a clash of the top two teams in FIFA’s rankings, played before a sellout crowd of 19,220, the visitors left the home side shell-shocked with two spectacular strikes. After Patri Guijarro opened the scoring with a third-minute laser, Eva Navarro doubled the advantage via a half-volley in the 14th.
“We did a great job at limiting their chances,” forward Trinity Rodman said after the U.S. topped Spain, 10-3, in shots on target. “They did an even better job at capitalizing on their chances.”
The friendly could very well have been a World Cup final preview. The Spaniards are the defending World Cup champions. The Americans are the reigning Olympic gold medalists. On sheer talent, the two squads rise above about the rest.
These powerhouses will meet again Tuesday night in Chester, Pennsylvania. That friendly will serve as the final U.S. tuneup before next month’s Concacaf W Championship, a regional tournament that doubles as World Cup qualifying.
“We know we’re better than that, and we know we have to own it,” U.S. captain Lindsey Heaps said. “And we know we have another opportunity come Tuesday.”
Spain ruthlessly punished two early lapses. When the Americans failed to pressure Guijarro some 25 yards out, the Spanish captain ripped a bending effort that nestled in goalkeeper Claudia Dickey’s netting.
Thirteen minutes later, a Spanish counter left the American defense scrambling. Salma Paralluelo found space down the left flank, whipped in a cross and picked out Navarro for an emphatic finish.
“You can’t afford to go 2-0 down against the best team in the world, especially the way we conceded those goals,” Hayes said. “That’s the learning.”
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The U.S. had no shortage of opportunities to score before halftime. Spain defender Lucía Corrales cleared an Alyssa Thompson effort off the line. Goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares tipped Sophia Wilson’s blistering bid off the crossbar. Wilson and Lily Yohannes pushed shots narrowly wide.
Eight minutes into the second half, Wilson appeared to halve the deficit after finishing a counterattack — only for the goal to be ruled offside after a video review. Shortly after, Nanclares denied Rodman’s redirection and a Rose Lavelle blast. Although Wilson earned a penalty kick via video review in the 68th, Nanclares stoned Yohannes’ attempt from the spot.
The missed opportunities left Hayes bemoaning the Americans’ execution in the final third. Responding to a question that posited the U.S. was “unlucky” not to score, Hayes quipped, “Unlucky is being struck by lightning.”
Midway through the half, Hayes brought on two former Spirit standouts for their long-awaited national team returns. Ashley Sanchez, the NWSL’s top scorer with the North Carolina Courage, made her first U.S. appearance since October 2024 after falling out of Hayes’s rotation. And Mallory Swanson took the field for the first time since she scored the winning goal in the Olympic gold medal game, having given birth to her first child last year.
Despite the return of the revered “Triple Espresso” front line — Rodman, Wilson and Swanson — that powered the U.S. at the Paris Games, the Americans couldn’t crack the Spanish defense. Although Spain went down a player when Athenea del Castillo got a 90th-minute red card for pulling at U.S. substitute Michelle Cooper’s hair, it was too late to make an impact.
“At the end of the day,” defender Emily Fox said, “we don’t want to be losing to anyone 2-0, let alone the world champs.”
Crystal Dunn, a starter on the U.S. teams that triumphed at the 2019 World Cup and the 2024 Olympics, was honored at halftime after announcing her retirement earlier this year.
Dunn, 34, starred for the Washington Spirit from 2014 to 2016. The dynamic utility player — a natural forward who spent much of her career at left back — recorded 25 goals in 160 international appearances.
“When you’ve dedicated so much time to this sport, you don’t really always understand the impact that you make on it,” Dunn said before the match. “You’re in it, you’re trying to win games, you’re trying to compete. Then, when you kind of take yourself out of it, you realize that what you’ve done was not just win games and win championships — you’ve inspired people.”
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