“You can’t afford to go 2-0 down against the best team in the world, especially the way we conceded those goals,” Emma Hayes said. “That’s the learning.” @us.theguardian.com report on Spain's clinical finishes, the US's lack of finishes, defensive lapses, The Midfield, and a World Cup stress test:
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Via our stats team at ESPN: 1st time this century the USWNT concedes 2 goals in the opening 15 minutes of a match twice in a 3-game span (all comps). Before those 2 games, the USWNT had not allowed 2 goals inside of 15 minutes since 2017 vs France (goals by Camille Abily and Eugénie Le Sommer).
For anyone missing the Spirit this weekend, the USWNT gave us the full experience at Audi this afternoon: home team generally outplays the opponent but can’t finish, a couple defensive lapses lead to goals and NWSL caliber officiating.
The last time the USWNT played Spain, the late Grant Wahl wrote about the US struggles in the midfield. “The U.S. midfield is a huge concern and needs a formation change now.” grantwahl.substack.com/p/free-to-re...
Credit where it's due: much better from the USWNT since halftime, as their adjusted, higher press is really giving Spain fits. IMO the starting 11 & the lack of preparedness in defensive transition is on the coaches, but they've also clearly made smart adjustments to their structure to set this up.
Yesterday, Sophia Wilson called Crystal Dunn a role model as a soccer player and mother. Today, Dunn returned the compliment:
Regardless of however this ends, I feel like big picture for the USWNT is two main points - one of early structure/personnel that helped put them in a hole without forcing Spain out of first gear, and then some fine margin stuff that they don’t want to be on the wrong side of.
Here’s whats going on today in women’s sports that you can follow in the dubsports app. Some PWR rugby games from the Next Gen Cup this morning, and some USL Super League soccer games later on. Also, there’s a USWNT game vs Spain (world #1) at 2:30 ET (working on getting those games in)
USWNT has been knocking on the door throughout the second half. Sophia Wilson earned the penalty, but Adriana Nanclares saves Lily Yohannes' attempt and keeps this game 2-0 Spain. Much better this half from the U.S. in patterns of progression, but still nothing to show for it.
Full-Time: USWNT 0-2 Spain Spain walks away with a victory after scoring two goals in the first 15 minutes. USWNT had 12 shots on goal, and Lily Yohannes penalty kick was saved in the 2nd half. Both teams face off once again Tuesday night in Chester, PA #USWNT
By my count, this is the third time in 96 matches over 5 1/2 years the USWNT has trailed by two goals. It's happened twice vs. Spain. (Mexico the other.)
Love that Julie Ertz ended up on the desk for this Spain vs. #USWNT game because she's exactly who I use to try to explain the Patri Guijarro of it all for Spain. www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Interesting game for #USWNT against Spain. Two exceptional finishes by Spain and unexceptional finishes by the US on a LOT more opportunities IMO. Honestly fairly pleased with how well we played other than finishing. We were the better team that 2nd half. Why Lily on the PK?
Wow, Spain already up 2-0 on the U.S. before 15-min mark. And it’s in D.C. Patri Guijarro and Eva Navarro with goals.
There’s a lot of personnel or soccer issues to take from USWNT loss. But most glaring issue was lack of intensity. Spain are the best in the world you can’t also be a step slow
Halftime USWNT 0-2 Spain US finds its way back into the game at times but is ultimately punished by Spain's press as it struggles to find meaningful chemistry on the other end of the pitch.
US aren't getting blown out of the water, but they haven't been clinical in their chances like Spain, and certainly haven't been set up in a way to take advantage of the space behind Spain's backline. More willingness to destroy through the midfield, more balls in behind: have to rough things up.
As things stand in 82nd minute, USWNT is looking at first-ever loss in regulation to a team ranked #1 at the time of the game. If Spain's 2-0 lead stands, this would also be first loss by more than 1 goal in the Hayes era. Tuesday rematch will be a fascinating watch! 6 pm CT on TNT at the Phoenix
USWNT had Heaps of problems today. Not fit for purpose. Don't gild the Lily by getting fancy with your PK. Just put it hard in a tough spot. Ashley Sanchez you can use your left foot, my goodness. It's probably Rudd to point all this out, I know. Emma, you lost me today.
Silver lining, Spain’s backline can’t keep up with the speed US has. They’ll break eventually, but you can’t concede three, four goals in the process.
highlight of the game for the USWNT so far is this guy speed painting Crystal Dunn at halftime
The #USWNT failed to erase an early deficit against Spain on Saturday and eventually suffered their third loss of 2026. sbisoccer.com/2026/10/uswn...
Spain scores in the first three minutes! I'll be taking a break from political angst for 90 minutes of USWNT.
whoever this 3rd/sideline commentator is , can barely get a comment in, bc every time she starts talking, Spain mounts a threatening attack, and the pxp has to take back over 😬 #USWNT #NWSL
Much better second half performance from US. Really stretched the Spain back line at points with movement away from the ball, going around the sides or over the top for the front players directly
I find it somewhat annoying that there are no good non-gendered pejoratives for me to use to accurately describe my impressions of the Spain side. But they, uh, do not enjoy the physicality of the USWNT and do not respond well to it.
Tomorrow begins a big test for the USWNT with the first of two games against Spain which means it's a good time to take a look at a few things that I'll be watching during this camp: www.cbssports.com/soccer/news/...
Suboptimal start for the #USWNT against Spain (although that was a banger of a strike)
Would be awesome if Spain pushes the USWNT to improve more moving forward. The US has dominated for so long, it’s ok to have someone else at the top.
Sam Meza would fix this USWNT midfield, but she'd also fix the MXWNT midfield, and tbh I think the latter is *more interesting*
I know that everyone wants to analyze this through the lens of the US but notice how Spain was strong in the first half with Patri and got dominated in the second without her
The USWNT game at Audi that didn’t have Lindsey we won 5-0 if anyone wants to think about that
I believe I heard a full sage-burning-cleansing ceremony has already been planned for Audi, lol
There is a reason why Spain is the defending FIFA Women’s World Cup Champion. And certainly the USWNT will have a lot of work to do in order to get ready for Brazil next June.
USWNT doing their best Chicago Stars impression against Spain
PSA: For the first time since the 2024 Olympic gold medal game… Mal is back on the pitch with USWNT 🇺🇸🥹
Two out of today’s starting XI for USWNT went to UNC - I’ll allow it 🩵🩵🩵
Trinity with the start for the USWNT 🇺🇸. Rudd on the bench. #ThatstheSpirit
USWNT hasn’t missed an opportunity to miss an opportunity today
re: USWNT Spain is a *problem*, my God
Not good for the USWNT but that was nice work from Spain
The STARters in DC 👀 USWNT x The Home Depot
USWNT in DC day! LFG!
0-2: Estados Unidos - España: Golazos de Patri y Eva Navarro
If you want to watch beautiful soccer today. USWNT v Spain
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It's tempting to say that the missed penalty deflated the USWNT here, but really I think it's the Spain triple sub letting them stabilize after so much trouble in the 2nd half.
Wilson is offside, but this is the kind of movement against the run of play the USWNT should be generating - this is how you penetrate a not impenetrable Spain defense
This will be the 5th all-time meeting between USA & Spain — 3 previous wins (incl. 2019 WWC round of 16) and 1 loss (Oct 2022 in Pamplona). Today is just the 2nd time the USWNT face Spain on home soil — the Americans beat La Roja 1-0 in the 2020 SheBelieves Cup in NJ. youtube.com/watch?v=BUao...
The USWNT midfield hasn’t been right since the days of Julie Ertz and Sam Mewis. It’s a testament to both of those players, but a curious puzzle for the USWNT coaching staff to solve in the last five years.
USWNT concedes early, falters on multiple scoring opportunities and falls to No. 1 Spain, 2-0. Match report … sports.yahoo.com/soccer/break...