The United States Women’s National Team kicks off against Spain for the second leg of their double-header on Tuesday evening in Chester, Pennsylvania. Both teams will be heading into this match wanting to make adjustments and come out victorious.
Due to the European schedule, La Roja rarely gets the opportunity to play top-level international talent outside of Europe, they will want to continue to maintain possession and the passing triangles that they are known for that rattled the US midfield and defense
on Saturday. 18 year-old Barcelona central midfielder Clara Serrajordi is likely to get more minutes, she was a second half substitute over the weekend and managed 82% accurate passes (28/34) in just her fourth appearance for the senior national team. Patri Guijarro and Eva Navarro both scored in the previous match and will continue to be dangerous threats on goal, but the US will need to also focus on La Reina Alexia Putellas, who put up one shot on target on Saturday, and Salma Paralluelo on the wing, who had an assist and will continue to be Spain’s biggest threat in terms of speed in attack. If the USWNT can contain Putellas and Paralluelo while also maintaining their defensive shape and communication against the rest of Spain’s attack, they should be able to remedy some of the mistakes that led to the goals on the weekend.
For the US side, head coach Emma Hayes made it clear heading into the international break that she did not intend to start any of the new faces in camp (i.e. Kate Del Fava, Jaelin Howell, Pietra Tordin, Evelyn Shores, Trinity Byars, and Ashley Sanchez), but Sanchez was able to get some playing time starting in the 65th minute on Saturday. It is likely that we will see some but not many changes to the starting lineup, perhaps Tara Rudd and Gisele Thompson in the back line, Claire Hutton in the midfield, and a goalkeeper change (likely, Phallon Tullis-Joyce). Hopefully the US can make the necessary adjustments to increase their efficiency in front of goal and communication in defense as a team. They will certainly want to leave this international window with a positive result.
On Saturday, Spain dealt with the US’s fast-paced front line with tactical fouls and physical aggression that seemed to take the USWNT by surprise coming from a European opponent. On Tuesday, they will be ready for a physical matchup and hungry to finally score after so many near misses over the weekend. If Saturday’s post-game frustration is any indicator, it should be an electric matchup.
