WASHINGTON — If the U.S. women's national team wants to regain its World Cup trophy, it will have to put in 90-minute performances against the best teams in the world.
That is the lesson from a 2-0 defeat to Spain on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Audi Field, a game where Emma Hayes' side had the better of much of the play, but still lost thanks to a slow start that saw it down two goals within 15 minutes.
Spain stunned a sold-out crowd by scoring twice within 14 minutes and from the USWNT's perspective, they were especially frustrating goals to concede.
Patri Guijarro's opener was a rocket from range that had eyes for the far corner, but Hayes won't be pleased with the massive amount of space the Spain midfielder was afforded.
Just 11 minutes later, a huge
mix-up in the back line and lack of tracking from the midfield let Eva Navarro stroll in unmarked at the back post.
Those were just two of Spain's three shots on goal during the game, but they made the difference as the U.S. got seven shots on target — including a penalty kick — but failed to find the net.
It made for a game where the U.S. was left to lament the small details that separated the two top sides in FIFA's world rankings.
.43 to 226
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USWNT misses details in frustrating loss to Spain
