USWNT 'frustrated' but 'not deterred' by loss to world champs Spain — SkimNews
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- Emma Hayes called the loss 'frustrating' but said the USWNT has closed the gap on reigning World Cup holders Spain, insisting the lessons 'will land even harder now' ahead of next year's World Cup
- Spain scored twice in the opening 14 minutes on USWNT defensive breakdowns, but the Americans then outshoot the world champions 13-6 with Spain registering just three shots on goal and 0.43 expected goals
- Sophia Wilson had a potential goal called back via video review for offside, struck the crossbar with another attempt, and fired narrowly wide of the far post in the first half
- Lily Yohannes saw her second-half penalty saved by Spain goalkeeper Adriana Nanclares, and Trinity Rodman scuffed a point-blank opportunity from an Alyssa Thompson cross eight yards from goal
- Trinity Rodman acknowledged the team 'wasn't clinical at all in the final third' and said 'my touches were not good enough in front of goal,' while captain Lindsey Heaps blamed the opening goals on transition defending and failure to step to the ball
- Spain is the fourth top-10 opponent the USWNT has faced this year — the Americans split series with Japan and Brazil and beat Canada, and will get an immediate rematch Tuesday in Chester, Pennsylvania
- Ashley Sanchez came off the bench in the 66th minute for her first USWNT appearance in two years
Why it matters: The 2-0 scoreline flatters Spain: the USWNT generated nearly four times as many total shots while restricting the world champions to 0.43 xG, meaning Hayes' side has the chance-creation volume to compete with top-tier opposition but lacks the finishing touch that decides tournaments. With the 2027 World Cup looming and a rematch Tuesday, the question is whether Hayes can convert that 13-6 shot disparity into goals before the gap truly closes.
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