The United States Women’s National Team has work to do before facing Spain again on Tuesday.
Emma Hayes’ side suffered a 2-0 defeat against the reigning Women’s World Cup champions at Audi Field in Washington, D.C., on October 10. Two goals inside the opening 14 minutes put the Americans under immediate pressure, and they never found a way back into the match.
Yet the final score does not tell the entire story.
The United States finished with 13 shots, 10 of them on target, while Spain recorded six shots and three on target. American goalkeeper Claudia Dickey did not face a shot in the second half, according to the official U.S. Soccer match report.
The U.S. created opportunities but could not convert them into goals. Spain, meanwhile, capitalized on its early chances.
The teams meet again on Tuesday, October 13, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, with kickoff scheduled for 7 p.m. ET.
For Hayes, the rematch offers an opportunity to address three problems that shaped the first encounter.
1. The USWNT must start with greater defensive concentration
Spain needed only three minutes to open the scoring.
Patri Guijarro found space outside the penalty area and fired past the American defense after Spain moved the ball forward from midfield. In the 14th minute, Eva Navarro doubled the lead, finishing a cross from Salma Paralluelo.
Those goals changed the match before the United States could establish control.
Against a technically gifted side such as Spain, even a brief loss of defensive organization can be costly. The first goal gave Spain confidence to maintain its approach, while the second forced the Americans to chase the game.
Hayes also used a defensive combination that had not previously started together, according to U.S. Soccer’s match report. Building understanding between players will therefore be an important part of the next performance.
The solution is not necessarily to abandon the team’s attacking intentions.
Instead, the United States needs to manage the opening stages more carefully, protect the space in front of its defense, and respond quickly when possession is lost.
The first 15 minutes of Tuesday’s game could be especially important. Another early deficit would give Spain the same advantage it enjoyed in Washington.
2. Creating chances is not enough: the finishing must improve
The most frustrating aspect of the defeat was the difference between the teams’ attacking numbers and the final score.
The United States generated several dangerous opportunities. Sophia Wilson hit the crossbar in the first half, while other American attacks forced Spain goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares into important saves.
Wilson appeared to have scored in the 53rd minute, but video review ruled the goal offside.
The U.S. later received a penalty after Wilson was brought down inside the box. Lily Yohannes stepped up, but Nanclares saved her attempt.
Those missed opportunities proved expensive.
Hayes acknowledged after the game that her team needed better execution in the final third. Reuters reported that the coach remained confident in the team’s ability to create chances while identifying finishing as an area requiring improvement.
For the rematch, the United States needs to turn its attacking pressure into clearer, more composed attempts.
That means improving the final pass, making better decisions under pressure, and ensuring the player taking a shot has the best possible opportunity to score.
The Americans do not necessarily need to produce more chances than they did in Washington. They need to make the opportunities they already create count.
Against Spain, failing to finish can be the difference between a competitive match and another frustrating result.
3. Hayes must find the right balance between attacking ambition and midfield control
The U.S. improved after the interval, but the first half exposed problems with its connections between midfield and attack.
Spain was able to take advantage of turnovers and move into dangerous positions before the Americans could fully organize themselves.
The challenge for Hayes is to help the midfield provide better protection without limiting the team’s creative players.
Rose Lavelle offers attacking movement and the ability to connect passes in advanced areas. Yohannes can contribute to the team’s progression, while Lindsey Heaps provides experience and leadership.
However, the team needs these responsibilities to work together.
When the midfield loses the ball, the defensive structure must be ready to respond. When the U.S. wins possession, attackers need coordinated movement and reliable passing options.
Against a team comfortable with possession and quick combinations, those connections are essential.
Hayes does not need to make wholesale changes simply because of one defeat. But Tuesday’s match is an opportunity to adjust the team’s spacing, improve its response to turnovers, and find a more reliable route from midfield into the penalty area.
A more balanced performance could help the United States compete more consistently across the full 90 minutes.
Mallory Swanson and Ashley Sanchez provide additional attacking options
There was also an important positive for the United States.
Mallory Swanson returned to the national team, making her first appearance in 710 days when she entered as a second-half substitute. Her return followed the birth of her daughter, and she became the 19th mother to play for the USWNT.
Ashley Sanchez also returned to the national-team lineup after an extended absence.
The two substitutes nearly combined for a goal late in the match. Swanson delivered a cross toward Sanchez, whose sliding attempt went wide.
Their returns give Hayes more attacking options to evaluate ahead of the second game.
Swanson brings a valuable attacking presence, while Sanchez arrives after a productive NWSL season with the North Carolina Courage. Their minutes against Spain could help the coaching staff assess how they fit into the team’s plans.
However, one appearance should not be treated as a definitive measure of either player’s readiness. Their roles will depend on the team’s needs, fitness and performance in training.
For the United States, the key question is how to turn greater attacking depth into a more effective performance.
When is the next USWNT vs Spain match?
The United States and Spain will meet again on Tuesday, October 13, 2026.
Match: USA vs Spain
Date: Tuesday, October 13, 2026
Venue: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Competition: International friendly
According to U.S. Soccer, the match will be available on TNT, HBO Max, Universo and Peacock.
The game provides the United States with an immediate opportunity to respond to the defeat and continue preparing for the upcoming Concacaf W Championship, which serves as part of the qualification pathway for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
What must the USWNT prove on Tuesday?
The first meeting showed that the United States can create attacking opportunities against Spain, but it also demonstrated how costly defensive mistakes and missed chances can become.
Hayes’ challenge is to improve the details without losing the team’s attacking ambition.
A stronger opening, more reliable finishing and better midfield coordination would give the Americans a clearer platform for the rematch.
Spain will remain a difficult opponent, and a different result is not guaranteed. But the second game offers a useful opportunity to test whether the United States can learn quickly from a demanding performance.
The biggest question is no longer simply whether the USWNT can create chances against the world champions.
It is whether the team can combine those chances with the defensive concentration and clinical finishing required to win.
Tuesday’s rematch will provide the next indication.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did the USWNT lose 2-0 to Spain?
Spain scored through Patri Guijarro in the third minute and Eva Navarro in the 14th. The United States created numerous opportunities but could not score, and Spain goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares saved a second-half penalty.
When is the next USWNT vs Spain match?
The second friendly is scheduled for Tuesday, October 13, 2026, at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET.
Who scored for Spain against the USWNT?
Patri Guijarro scored the opening goal in the third minute, while Eva Navarro scored Spain’s second in the 14th minute.
Did Lily Yohannes score a penalty against Spain?
No. Yohannes took a second-half penalty, but Spain goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares saved the attempt.
Did Mallory Swanson return against Spain?
Yes. Swanson made her first USWNT appearance in 710 days when she entered as a second-half substitute on October 10, 2026.