USWNT battles back from two down in thrilling 2-2 draw with Spain: Match report

CHESTER, Penn. – The U.S. women's national team seemed on course for more of the same against Spain Tuesday night, but a spirited fightback in the second half resulted in an entertaining 2-2 draw.

Spain showed their quality in possession as Alexia Putellas opened the scoring, then pounced on a turnover from U.S. goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce for the second.

Over the weekend, the USWNT created chances, but couldn't get a comeback going. This time, a first national team goal for Ashley Sanchez since 2022 was the needed spark, while Mallory Swanson claimed a late equalizer on the half-volley.

The USWNT showed more stability than they did in a poor start on Saturday in D.C., while both sides came up with modest early tests for the oppoing goalkeeper, but it wasn't until the 13th minute that either defense was truly pried open.

Some hesitation from Putellas drew U.S. attention, as did a run from Paralluelo, but the real threat was Clara Pinedo, who slashed in behind to receive the eventual through ball. Tullis-Joyce had the answer though, batting away the Athletic Bilbao forward's shot.

While the U.S. had spent more of the game in the Spain half, they once again conceded the opener. Spain's possession drew nearly every USWNT into the center channel, with no one moving wide left to maintain a good defensive shape.

From there it was clockwork for Spain, with Clara Serrajordi slipping a pass behind the defense for Pinedo to dummy. Putellas will scarcely have had an easier finish.

*heavy sighs*

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— Our Game Magazine (@ourgamemagazine.bsky.social) October 13, 2026 at 7:37 PM

As was the case on the weekend, the second arrived shortly thereafter. A poor clearance from Tullis-Joyce went straight to Putellas, and the Barcelona star crucially waited a half-second before feeding Paralluelo to her right. Wide open, the OL Lyonnes forward had plenty of time to pick the top corner, clipping the underside of the bar with her shot.

It had been a humbling end to the half after a decent enough start, but the U.S. again improved coming out for the second half. Play broke towards the Spain end in the 49th minute, with Sophia Wilson and Irene Paredes coming together near midfield. Paredes fell holding her face, though replays eventually showed there was very little in it.

Wilson burst forward but initially overplayed her pass, but with Spain distracted and pleading for a call, Sanchez took advantage. Cutting in 1-v-1 with Ona Batlle, Sanchez made it look easy, opening up her angle before easily steering a shot past Misa Rodríguez.

SANCHITO! A HERO RISES!

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— Our Game Magazine (@ourgamemagazine.bsky.social) October 13, 2026 at 8:19 PM

A USWNT quintuple substitution brought Mallory Swanson into the fray, with the Chicago Stars attacker nearly equalizing in the 69th minute. Sanchez nearly lost control in transition, but her ability to recover shed Lucía García, and a quick exchange with another sub, Lily Yohannes, sent Swanson in behind. It was the best soccer the U.S. had put together on the night, but Misa Rodríguez delivered a strong save.

Rodríguez produced a meek 83rd-minute punch on a Swanson corner, sending the ball directly to Pietra Tordin, but the U.S. debutant's half-volley was crowded out. Another promising attack moments later saw referee Myriam Marcotte caught in the way of Yohannes' pass to Alyssa Thompson, much to the chagrin of the Subaru Park crowd.

The equalizer was coming though, and Swanson finally had the finish in the 86th minute. Kate Del Fava's ball in behind the defense seemed to give Michelle Cooper a 1-v-1 with Rodríguez, but a stray touch almost spoiled the chance. Cooper recovered though, instead squaring for the trailing Swanson to tuck away in the 86th minute.

MAL IS SO BACK

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— andré, but scarier (@andre-carlisle.bsky.social) October 13, 2026 at 8:59 PM

Del Fava then made a key defensive play in the 90th minute, recovering to block Batlle's angled shot as play grew stretched. At the other end, an Emma Sears cutback rolled through everyone only to go unfinished, while a powerful Yohannes strike was blocked as Spain scrambled.

Yohannes went even closer in the game's final seconds, launching a 23-yard shot that took the slightest deflection on its way. The ball was destined for the bottom corner, but Rodríguez somehow tipped it away at the last gasp.

The next test for the USWNT will be less glamorous, but ultimately much more important. El Salvador will be the opponent on Nov. 27 in Mansfield, Texas, and a win will qualify the U.S. for the 2027 World Cup.

Box score — International friendly
10/13/2026

USA (Sanchez 49, Swanson 86
Spain (Putellas 28, Paralluelo 32

Lineups:
USA (4231): Phallon Tullis-Joyce; Emily Fox, Kennedy Wesley, Tierna Davidson (Kate Del Fava 80), Gisele Thompson (Alyssa Thompson 61); Claire Hutton (Jaelin Howell 61), Lindsey Heaps (C) (Lilly Yohannes 61); Trinity Rodman (Michelle Cooper 61), Rose Lavelle (Mallory Swanson 61), Ashley Sanchez (Emma Sears 80); Sophia Wilson (Pietra Tordin 80)

Spain (433): Misa Rodríguez; Oihane Hernández (Ona Batlle 46), Irene Paredes (C) (Laia Codina 78), María Méndez, Andrea Medina (Ornella Vignola 76); Clara Serrajordi (Natalia Ramos 78), Patri Guijarro, Alexia Putellas (Fiamma Benítez 61); Salma Paralluelo (Lucía Corrales 46), Edna Imade (Alba Redondo 46), Clara Pinedo (Lucía García 61)

Bookings:
USA -
Spain - Ramos 81, Vignola 93+

Referee: Myriam Marcotte
Weather: Breezy, clear, 71°
Attendance: 18,648