Swanson scores 1st U.S. goal since Olympics in comeback vs. Spain

USA v Spain Swanson scores 1st U.S. goal since Olympics in comeback vs. Spain The United States women came from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Spain on Tuesday after going down early again to the World Cup-winners before Mallory Swanson levelled the score late with a clinical volley -- and her first strike for the USWNT since the Olympic gold medal game in 2024. The U.S. was looking to rebound in Chester, Pennsylvania, from Saturday's 2-0 loss to Spain -- with the defending world champions' goals coming in the opening 15 minutes in game one -- and manager Emma Hayes urged her side ahead of the second match to come out faster and be more aggressive on Tuesday. Nonetheless, Spain, the No. 1 team in the world, picked up right where it left off Saturday when London City Lionesses striker Alexia Putellas tapped in at the far post from Clara Serrajordi's cross through the penalty area to give her team another early lead. The goal for Putellas was her 43rd for Spain and came on her 150th appearance for the national team. Minutes later, the U.S. went down 2-0. This time a poor pass out of the back by U.S. keeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce was picked up by Spain and found its way to the feet of Salma Paralluelo, who smashed a shot off the crossbar and into the back of the net. The score at halftime didn't tell the entire story of the first half as the U.S. possessed the ball well at times and had some dangerous moments in the attacking third, but much like in the loss on Saturday could not make it count. Hayes team came roaring out of the break, though, with Ashley Sanchez scoring shortly after the restart for her fourth career goal for the U.S. and first since finding the net against Costa Rica in 2022. Swanson came on for Rose Lavelle and Alyssa Thompson substituted her sister Gisele in the 60th minute as both teams made a number of changes early in the second half. Another sub, Lily Yohannes, nearly set up the game-tying goal with a delicate through ball to Swanson, but the Chicago Stars striker -- who is still working her way back into the national team after an extended absence for maternity leave -- had her shot saved by Spain goalie Misa Rodríguez in the 69th minute. Swanson made good on her second chance, settling a pass at the top of the box in the 86th minute and lashing home a volley with her next touch to beat Rodríguez and even things up at 2-2. The goal -- Swanson's first for the national team in 795 days -- helped the USWNT avoid losing a fourth game of the year after the Spain loss Saturday and defeats to Japan and Brazil earlier in the year, and marked the first time it had not lost a game after trailing by more than two goals at halftime in team history. Next up for the Americans is a Concacaf W Championship game against El Salvador on Nov. 27. The quarterfinal match also serves as a World Cup qualifier with the U.S. able to clinch a spot at the 2027 tournament in Brazil with a win. Information from ESPN Global Research was used in this recap.