Mallory Swanson scores late equalizer as USWNT rallies from 2 goals down to draw Spain, 2-2

CHESTER, Pa. — Eight months from now, when the U.S. and Spain arrive in Brazil among the elites aiming to hoist the World Cup trophy, these autumn friendlies between FIFA’s top-ranked women’s soccer teams are going to be a distant memory.

But in the moment, with the global tournament on the horizon and the No. 1 and No. 2 titans seeking an upper hand, two clashes three days and 120 miles apart showed Spanish excellence and American resilience.

Facing another two-goal halftime deficit Tuesday, the U.S. answered with two of their own, including Mallory Swanson’s sensational finish in the 86th minute for a 2-2 draw in front of 18,648 at Subaru Park.

Swanson, who on Saturday returned from more than two years away to give birth to her first child, was a second-half sub again. After threatening to tie the game in the 69th, she did it in dramatic fashion.

Michelle Cooper laid off the ball to Swanson, who turned, lifted the ball to herself and whacked a 16-yard shot into the left corner for her first goal since the Olympic gold-medal winner against Brazil in Paris.

Ashley Sanchez scored in the 49th minute for the U.S.

Friendlies are largely without consequence, but this was a learning stretch for Emma Hayes and the No. 2 Americans, who, coupled with the 2-0 setback Saturday in Washington, were in danger of losing consecutive matches for the first time since a three-game skid in 2022 and dropping back-to-back home games for the first time since 2017.

Before Spain’s visit, the U.S. had gone 11-0-6 all time in matchups between the top two teams in the world.

After a promising start Tuesday, it fell apart for the U.S. in a five-minute span with glaring errors against the unforgiving opponents.

In its past 29 matches, Spain has lost twice in regular time, both to European champion England.

The Americans will now turn attention to the CONCACAF W Championship starting Nov. 27 in the Dallas suburb of Mansfield, Texas, and culminating Dec. 5 in Houston.

With a quarterfinal victory over 78th-ranked El Salvador, the Americans would qualify for their 10th consecutive World Cup. Even with a seismic upset, they could still advance through a playoff.

Spain is among 18 teams to have already qualified for the 32-nation competition. Spain and the U.S. will be seeded teams in the Dec. 11 draw in Rio de Janeiro.

Hayes made four lineup changes, adding goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, left back Gisele Thompson, midfielder Claire Hutton and Sanchez, the National Women’s Soccer League top scorer whose previous start was almost two years ago.

They replaced Claudia Dickey, Avery Patterson, Lily Yohannes and Alyssa Thompson, respectively.

Spain coach Sonia Bermúdez named six new starters, including Arsenal goalkeeper Misa Rodríguez, Barcelona defender Irene Paredes and multiple young players.

Unlike the first meeting, the Americans crackled from the start with creativity, confidence, energy and vision. They didn’t parlay it into a serious threat, however.

Tullis-Joyce was tested in the 14th minute, blocking Clara Pinedo’s rising 12-yarder after the Spanish attacker made a clean run into space to collect a through ball.

Spain had found its rhythm, and in the 27th minute, La Roja went ahead on Alexia Putellas’ tap-in.

Clara Serrajordi received the ball at the top corner of the penalty area after Tierna Davidson had left her. To make matters worse, Sanchez had failed to drop back and help.

Serrajordi sent a low cross that Pinedo dummied by letting the ball pass between her legs. Having made a run through a central channel, Putellas touched the ball into the net from the door step.

Five minutes later, it only got worse. Pinedo intercepted Tullis-Joyce’s aimless clearance and delivered a through ball targeting Salma Paralluelo. Davidson took a bad angle, allowing the Spanish forward to get behind her and drill a 12-yard shot off the underside of the crossbar and into the net.

U.S. forays the rest of the half had a feel of desperation instead of  connection. Rodríguez wasn’t bothered.

Three minutes into the second half, though, the deficit was halved. Breaking out of its end, the U.S. supplied Sanchez in space. She took the initiative, dribbling into the box and taking on Ona Batlle before placing an angled shot into the far lower corner — her first international goal since July 2022.

Hayes turned to her bench in a big way in the 61st minute, making five changes, including Swanson’s arrival and Trinity Rodman’s departure.

Swanson threatened to tie it in the 69th, collecting Yohannes’ wonderful one-touch pass behind the defense and forcing a quality save by Rodríguez.

The U.S. continued pressing for the equalizer, manufacturing several threats in the run of play and off set pieces. Spain was under duress.

Finally, Swanson struck, setting off celebrations on the field and in the stands, where her husband, Chicago Cubs star Dansby Swanson, watched with pride.

Yohannes almost won it deep in stoppage time with a shot through traffic that was tipped away spectacularly by Rodríguez.

U.S. notes: Defender Kate Del Fava and forward Pietra Tordin made their international debuts in the 80th minute.