The United States women’s national team bounced back from a 2-0 loss against Spain on October 10, to draw the reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champions just three days later.
The U.S. rallied back from a 2-0 deficit at halftime to draw La Roja, 2-2, in Chester, Pennsylvania on Tuesday night.
Spain got off to a hot start as Alexia Putellas, who features for the London City Lionesses in the FA Women’s Super League, got the Spanish on the board in the 27th minute. Putellas snuck behind U.S. goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce to tap in the ball after service from Clara Serrajordi.
Puteallas earned her 150th appearance for Spain in the victory.
Alexia Putellas scored on her 100th cap, and she's scored today on her 150th
» @SEFutbolFem pic.twitter.com/Cmlk2xmqIs
— W Golazo (@WGolazo) October 13, 2026
She earned the assist on Spain’s second goal, scored in the 32nd minute by Clara Serrajordi. The 18-year-old features for FC Barcelona and made just her fifth appearance for La Roja on Tuesday night.
Alexia Putellas
Salma Paralluelo
Spain double their lead
pic.twitter.com/ND6zaR8GPN
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 13, 2026
The U.S. responded in the second half, though. Ashley Sanchez scored just her fourth international goal in her return to the U.S. roster. Sanchez currently leads the National Women’s Soccer League with 20 goals in 27 matches for the North Carolina Courage.
Ashley Sanchez scores in her first USWNT start in 714 days
pic.twitter.com/gfHqyCJqIk
— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 14, 2026
Sanchez collected the ball outside the penalty area, brought it inside the area and fired off a lot shot to the far, low corner of the net.
The U.S. were looking at a draw until a second goal in the 86th minute from Mallory Swanson. The Chicago Stars striker volleyed the ball to herself after a cross from Michelle Cooper and fired past Spanish goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez.
The goal was Swanson’s first since the final match at the 2024 Summer Olympics, where the U.S. earned the gold medal.
SWANSON SLOTS IT HOME
USWNT x @vw pic.twitter.com/1EypYsaFDq
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) October 14, 2026
After a period of seven minutes of stoppage time, the U.S. and Spain drew in front of 18,648.
Now, the U.S. will gear up for the Concacaf W Championship, which will serve as both 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup and 2028 Summer Olympics qualifiers. The U.S. is among eight teams that will feature in the tournament.
The U.S. will face off with El Salvador in the opening match on November 27 in Mansfield, Texas. Teams that win their quarterfinal match will automatically qualify for the 2027 World Cup.
