Spain sweeps USWNT in October friendlies, 2-0 then 2-1, ahead of 2027 World Cup

The United States women's national team lost both legs of a two-game October friendly series against Spain, falling 2-0 in Washington, D.C. on October 10 and 2-1 in Chester, Pennsylvania on October 13, according to match recaps from U.S. Soccer and ESPN.

Spain, the reigning FIFA Women's World Cup champion, entered the series ranked above the U.S., per ESPN's coverage. The USWNT has been coached by Emma Hayes since 2024.

Washington, October 10: Spain scores twice early

At Audi Field, Spain scored twice in the opening 14 minutes. Patricia Guijarro opened the scoring in the 3rd minute, assisted by Edna Imade, and Eva Navarro added a second in the 14th minute, assisted by Salma Paralluelo, according to U.S. Soccer's official match recap.

The U.S. outshot Spain 13-6 in total shots, 10-3 on target, according to the same recap, but could not score. A 70th-minute penalty taken by Lily Yohannes was saved by Spanish goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares. Attendance was a sellout 19,220.

Mallory Swanson made her first USWNT appearance in 710 days, days after giving birth, becoming the 19th mother to play for the national team, U.S. Soccer reported. Spain's Athena Del Castillo was sent off in stoppage time for violent conduct. U.S. Soccer described the result as only Spain's second-ever win over the United States.

Chester, October 13: USA competitive but still loses

Three days later at Subaru Park, Spain again scored twice in quick succession: Alexia Putellas in the 27th minute, assisted by Clara Serrajordi, and Salma Paralluelo in the 32nd minute, assisted by Putellas, according to U.S. Soccer's match hub for the game.

The U.S. responded in the second half. Ashley Sanchez scored in the 49th minute, assisted by Sophia Wilson, cutting the deficit to 2-1, the final score, per U.S. Soccer's match hub.

Hayes made four changes to her starting lineup from the first match, including goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce and a first start in 713 days for Sanchez, according to U.S. Soccer's lineup notes. Rose Lavelle earned her 124th cap, passing Julie Ertz on the all-time USWNT list, and captain Lindsey Heaps made her 180th appearance, the same report said.

Both squads were missing key players. Spain was without Ballon d'Or winner Aitana Bonmatí, who has a broken leg, and midfielder Mariona Caldentey, sidelined with a hamstring injury, per ESPN. The U.S. was missing defender Naomi Girma and midfielder Sam Coffey to injury.

Why the series matters

Yahoo Sports noted that before this series, the USWNT had not lost consecutive matches in four years and had not lost back-to-back games at home since 2017. The team had also scored only 11 goals across its last nine matches dating back to March 1, per the same report.

Spain has not lost a match in regulation time since the 2024 Olympics, apart from two away defeats to England, according to Yahoo Sports' reporting on the series.

Captain Lindsey Heaps said the team needs to keep progressing to convert chances if it wants to be on top by the World Cup, according to the same Yahoo Sports report.

An Infobae report in Spanish on the first match described Spain's win as a 'prestigious' result ahead of the 2027 World Cup and said the long-standing American superiority over Spain 'is no longer so evident,' framing Spain's No. 1 FIFA ranking as now established rather than a surprise.