The USWNT dropped a tough 2-0 loss to Spain on Saturday, and man, if you just looked at the box score for shots and expected goals, you’d think they won by a mile. Our squad absolutely outshot the reigning UEFA Women’s Nations League champs 13 to 6, and their expected goals stat, 2.26 to 0.43, was off the charts. Yet, here we are, talking about a shutout loss.
No Excuses, Just Execution
Look, Emma Hayes isn’t pulling any punches, and you gotta respect it. After dominating the stats but falling short on the scoreboard, she said it straight: “Unlucky is being struck by lightning.” She’s right! You can create all the chances in the world, but if you don’t finish them, what’s it all for? Hayes put it even clearer, saying, “When you play the best team in the world, you have to execute in the first instance.” That’s the cold, hard truth of top-tier international soccer.
The missed opportunities were glaring. Lily Yohannes had a stutter-step penalty that just didn’t come off, which could’ve totally changed the momentum of the match. And Trinity Rodman admitted it was frustrating for the attackers, saying the team looked “a little deflated.” Hayes had to rally them at halftime, reminding them that it only takes one shot to get back in it. Even with Sophia Wilson’s resurgence, she was unlucky not to score. The slight dribbles instead of shooting, the interchanges that didn’t connect, those are the details that separate a great team from one that just dominates the xG sheet.
The World Is Catching Up, And We Love It
Here’s the thing, though, and Crystal Dunn said it best on her bobblehead day: “The legacy of the national team is no joke. You come onto the team, and people are like, ‘we win everything’, that’s what we are expected to do, right?” She gets it. But Dunn also highlighted that the rest of the world is stepping up, and that’s exactly what we want. She wants competitive games, not easy wins, because that means the game is growing. Spain showed us exactly what that looks like, taking their chances while we didn’t. This isn’t a team that gets to coast anymore, and frankly, that’s exciting. It forces our squad to be even better, to dig deeper, and to really earn that spot on the road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
So, yeah, that 2-0 loss stings, but it also lights a fire. The USWNT gets a chance at redemption this Tuesday in Chester, Pa., against Spain again. This isn’t just about getting a win; it’s about making those chances count and showing everyone they’re ready for that road to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Let’s go!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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