Swanson scores 1st U.S. goal since Olympics in comeback vs. Spain — SkimNews
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- USWNT drew 2-2 with world champions Spain in Chester, PA, rallying from 2-0 down after Saturday's 2-0 loss to the same opponent
- Mallory Swanson volleyed home in the 86th minute — her first USWNT goal in 795 days, dating back to the 2024 Olympic gold medal match, and her first since returning from maternity leave
- Alexia Putellas opened the scoring for Spain with her 43rd international goal on her 150th appearance, tapping in Clara Serrajordi's cross
- Salma Paralluelo doubled Spain's lead after a poor pass from goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce deflected in off the crossbar
- Ashley Sanchez pulled one back shortly after halftime — her fourth career USWNT goal and first since a 2022 match against Costa Rica
- The comeback marked USWNT's first-ever non-loss after trailing by two-plus goals at halftime, avoiding a fourth 2025 defeat after earlier losses to Japan and Brazil
- Next up for the USWNT is a Concacaf W Championship quarterfinal against El Salvador on Nov 27 — a match that doubles as a 2027 World Cup qualifier, with a win clinching a Brazil 2027 berth
Why it matters: Swanson's return from maternity leave and 795-day scoring drought stabilized an under-pressure USWNT side that had already lost three times in 2025, and the Nov 27 Concacaf quarterfinal against El Salvador offers an immediate path to clinch a 2027 World Cup spot — the first time ever they avoided defeat after trailing by 2+ at the break.
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