US Women’s National Team draw 2-2 with Spain as Mallory Swanson scores
Mallory Swanson scored a late volley to secure a 2-2 draw for the United States women’s national team against Spain on Tuesday, erasing a two-goal halftime deficit in Chester, Pennsylvania. The comeback marked the first time in team history that the U.S. avoided defeat after trailing by two or more goals at halftime, espn.com reported.
Putellas Scores Early for Spain
Spain entered the match as the top-ranked team in the world, seeking to build on a 2-0 victory against the U.S. just days prior in which the defending world champions scored both goals within the opening 15 minutes. Manager Emma Hayes had urged her side to come out faster and play with greater aggression to counter Spain’s early pressure.
That aggression failed to stop Spain from taking an early lead. London City Lionesses striker Alexia Putellas tapped in at the far post from Clara Serrajordi’s cross through the penalty area. The strike marked the 43rd goal for Spain on Putellas’s 150th appearance for the national team.
Minutes later, a poor pass out of the back by U.S. goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce fell directly to Salma Paralluelo. Paralluelo smashed a shot off the crossbar and into the net to stretch Spain’s lead to 2-0. Despite holding decent possession and creating dangerous moments in the attacking third during the first half, the U.S. failed to convert their chances.
Sanchez Finds the Net After Restart
Emma Hayes’s squad responded immediately after the intermission. Ashley Sanchez scored shortly after the restart, firing a shot to the back post for her fourth career international goal and her first since finding the net against Costa Rica in 2022.
“When I started dribbling at her, I thought she was going to step. And when she didn’t, I knew that I could probably hit that shot back post,” Sanchez said. “I feel like I haven’t processed it, really yet, but I’m sure I’ll feel really good about it in about an hour or something when the adrenaline shuts down a bit.”
Both managers turned to their benches early in the second half. Swanson replaced Rose Lavelle, and Alyssa Thompson substituted for her sister Gisele in the 60th minute. Substitute Lily Yohannes nearly created the equalizer with a delicate through ball to Swanson, but Spain goalie Misa Rodríguez stopped the resulting shot in the 69th minute. Swanson eventually capitalized in the 86th minute, settling a pass at the top of the box and lashing home a clinical volley past Rodríguez to level the score at 2-2.
“I mean, this mentality of this team has always been you stay with it,” Swanson said after the match. “That’s what this crest means.”
Injuries Affect Rosters Before US Face El Salvador
Both rosters featured notable absences. Spain played without several major contributors, including Aitana Bonmati, who continues recovering from a broken leg, alongside injured teammates Vicky Lopez, Mariona Caldentey, and goalkeeper Cata Coll. The U.S. faced similar roster constraints, missing key players Naomi Girma and Sam Coffey due to injuries.
The draw halted a run of defeats for the U.S., following losses to Spain on Saturday, alongside earlier defeats to Japan and Brazil. Looking ahead, the Americans prepare for a Concacaf W Championship match against El Salvador on November 27. That quarterfinal fixture doubles as a World Cup qualifier, offering the U.S. an immediate path to secure a spot at the 2027 tournament in Brazil with a victory.