The United States women’s national team rallied from a two-goal deficit to earn a 2-2 draw with defending World Cup champions Spain on Tuesday, after Ashley Sanchez and Mallory Swanson each scored in the second half.
Spain dominated the early proceedings and looked poised to hand the U.S. consecutive home losses after Washington D.C.’s 3-0 defeat on Saturday. The home side, missing several regulars and described as listless, fell behind by two goals and struggled to find cohesion in the first half.
Second-half substitutions and the return of two players who had been absent for extended periods changed the game. Sanchez and Swanson — ending international scoring droughts of 1,648 days and 801 days respectively — each found the net to turn the match around and secure a share of the spoils. Their goals provided a crucial lift for a team that had appeared on the verge of a damaging result.
While the comeback prevented a damaging run of results on home soil, the match served as an early wake-up call ahead of the World Cup. The U.S. showed resilience to respond when it mattered, but the first-half performance and absence of several key players highlighted areas that need attention before the tournament.
Coaches and supporters will likely take encouragement from the fightback but remain mindful that the squad must address inconsistency and depth concerns. The draw preserved momentum, but it also underscored the questions facing the team as it prepares for the major international competition.