Frustrated but 'not deterred,' USWNT looks to Tuesday rematch after Spain exposes early lapses

WASHINGTON — Emma Hayes and the U.S. took comfort from the abundance of scoring opportunities created in Saturday’s showdown between the two top-ranked teams in women’s soccer at sold-out Audi Field. They were satisfied with the few chances they conceded in the 2-0 loss to No. 1 Spain and the spirit they showed during a stirring if unfulfilling second half. But those first 14 minutes, when the reigning World Cup champions scored twice without much resistance … “You can't give them a head start,” Hayes said. “They're too good.” That’s not all. There were all those wasted opportunities — in both halves, from inside the penalty area, from distance, on missed connections, on waiting too long to shoot and even on a penalty kick. Add it all up, and the Americans left the nation’s capital looking up at Spain, which, aside from a stumble here and there against England, has imposed its artistic game on the sport over the last three years and, barring a dramatic drop in form, will enter next summer’s World Cup in Brazil as the clear favorite. “You can't afford to go two-nil down against the best team in the world, especially the way we conceded those goals,” Hayes said. Spain midfielder Patri Guijarro (R) scored from outside the box three minutes into a 2-0 win over the U.S. on Saturday at Audi Field in Washington, DC. Patrick Smith via Getty Images It was far too easy. Spain’s buildup and the USWNT’s inability to close down space allowed Patri Guijarro to score from beyond the box three minutes into the match. The second goal was an end-to-end stroll, culminating with Eva Navarro unmarked in the heart of the box for a crisp stab past beleaguered goalkeeper Claudia Dickey. “We know we're better than that, and we know we have to own it, and we know we have another opportunity come Tuesday,” captain Lindsey Heaps said. “So that's a good thing.” Indeed, as part of World Cup preparations, the sides will clash again Tuesday night at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. The first friendly was defined by early U.S. lapses, Spanish efficiency and U.S. inefficiency. “Did I think we did enough to score a goal? Of course we did,” Hayes said. “Did we do enough to score more than one? Absolutely. We just didn't make necessarily the right decision and execute. … A lot of things were really good about what we did, but not those.” Falling behind by two goals and failing to score are both rarities for the U.S., the reigning Olympic gold medalist. Only three times since mid-2021 have the Americans trailed by multiple goals, and Spain was responsible for two of them. (Mexico was the other.) The U.S. was also shut out for just the second time in its past 27 matches. “As the game went on, we had more venom and we had more chances, and the chances were there,” right back Emily Fox said. “So I think that's the positive. But at the end of the day, we don't want to be losing to anyone two-zero, let alone the world champs.” With the 2027 World Cup in nine months, Emma Hayes sees reasons for optimism despite another defeat to Spain. Brad Smith/ISI Photos via Getty Images Hayes and the players spoke about the importance of details. “Look: When you play the best team in the world, you have to execute everything really well,” Hayes said. Aside from the scoring chances in the run of play, the U.S. squandered a penalty kick in the second half. Heaps usually takes them, but she had already left the match. Second on the list, based on expertise in training, is Lily Yohannes, a 19-year-old midfielder and the youngest on the 26-player squad. Yohannes’ bid was not precise enough, allowing Adriana Nanclares to stuff it. “I missed. My responsibility,” said Yohannes, who grew up in the D.C. area. “I took initiative to take it and didn't score, which is on me. And yeah, I should put it away.” Hayes saw long-term benefits in Yohannes taking it. After all, friendlies nine months out from the World Cup are about learning and growing. “That's part of managing the pressure in the moment,” Hayes said. “She'll be better for it. For me, missing the penalty is OK. We missed enough, so the penalty just contributed to that. That just sort of felt like it's not going to go in today. But I don't put those things down to poor luck. I put it down to poor execution, including the penalty.” The second half did see the return of “Triple Espresso,” the vaunted front line that sizzled at the 2024 Olympics. With Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson sidelined for long stretches while on maternity leave, Trinity Rodman has been the only regular. Wilson returned last spring and Swanson was back as a sub on Saturday. “Getting back to playing is one thing, but to do it at the highest level is another,” said Swanson, who scored the winning goal in the Olympic gold medal match against Brazil. “I'm just very grateful to be back here and have the support that I have had throughout this whole journey.” Saturday’s match also saw the return of winger Ashley Sanchez, a sub whose surprising surge to the top of the NWSL’s scoring chart this season earned her a place after a two-year international absence. Those were positive moments. But come next summer, when the stakes are at their highest, the U.S. knows it’s going to need to be better. “I'm frustrated, I'm disappointed, but I'm not deterred,” Hayes said. “We'll keep getting better with this. We got some really, really good players, and we're a really good team, regardless of the result today. I think we're much closer to [Spain] than we were three years ago. Definitely.” She will learn more Tuesday.