USWNT manages a draw against Spain, 2-2

Chester, PA

October 13, 2026

Anyone questioning the financial draw of women’s sports should have seen the sold-out crowd watching the United States take on Spain in an international friendly.  To be sure, the Stars and Stripes are a perennial draw and Spain wears the crown from the 2023 FIFA World Cup.  Still the crowd size for the match suggests the generation of a healthy amount of revenue for the United States Soccer Federation.

The match on Tuesday was the second game between the USWNT and Spain, the first of which resulted in a 0-2 loss for the United States.  The second game initially looked to be a repeat of the prior game, with Spain scoring twice in the first half.

The matchups were an exercise in contrasts.  The Spain players looked like carbon copies of each other, with virtually the same skills, in constant motion and with deadly accurate passes.  The USWNT players are more varied in their skillsets and have a more physical mode of play.

As in the first match, Spain scored first in the 27nd minute when Spain’s Clara Serrajordi crossed flat from the right in front of the United States goal.  Spain’s Alexia Putellas — seemingly unguarded — received the cross and shot the ball in into the goal to start the scoring off at 0-1. Serrajordi was awarded the assist.

Five minutes later — at the 32nd minute — Spain scored again. This time it was Salma Paralluelo (Spain) who shot into the top right of the goal.  The assist went to Alexia Putella.  At the end of the first half Spain was to the better of the United States 0-2.

The United States played better in the second half.  In the 49th minute, the USWNT scored.  Ashley Sanchez approached the goal from the left, dodged right and left, and then shot to the far right corner of Spain’s goal.  The assist for the team’s first goal was attributed to Sophia Wilson.

Sixtieth minute substitutions jolted the United States team.  Mallory Swanson shot on goal on a fast break, but Spain saved the shot.  Then in the 86th minute, Swanson shot to the left corner of the goal and there was nothing Spain could do to stop the shot.  Swanson was assisted by Michelle Cooper.  The score was level at 2-2 and stayed that way until the end of the game.

Photographs of the game appear below:

Spain’s Alexia Putellas scoring Spain’s first goal of the evening. The USWNT’s Sophia Wilson passing to Trinity Rodman. Spain’s Ona Batlle leaving Claire Hutton without footing. The USWNT Emily Fox rising above Spain’s Ornella Vignola on the header.   Claire Hutton on the run. The USWNT’s Kennedy Wesley holding back Spain’s Edna Image.    Captain Lindsey Heaps with Spain’s Patri Guijarro.