WASHINGTON, DC – Completion is the name of the game, and even more so with the top teams in the world, as the United States women’s national team found in a 2-0 loss to Spain on Saturday.
Crystal Dunn spoke before the game about wanting to play the best team in the world, and on the day she was honored — even getting a bobblehead that she really wanted — they did just that, which shows where they are and how far they need to go on the way to the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
“The national team is no joke. You come into the team, and people are like, ‘We win everything’, that’s what you’re expected to do, right? So there’s this huge, you know, stress on you to basically support the flag. But I think what I see now, people in this team, they understand the legacy, but they also understand that it’s played at a time when it’s better, you know, the stress on you is basically to support the flag. But I think what I see now, people in this team, they understand the legacy, but they also understand that they are playing at a time when the others are playing, which is what we want. We don’t want to win easily, which means the game doesn’t grow where we want to grow,” Dunn said.
Against a team like Spain, the United States could do anything, and then some, against the reigning UEFA Women’s Nations League champions, and Spain made their chances while the USWNT did not. Trinity Rodman admitted it’s a bit frustrating, but it’s also a moment where they have room to grow and work before Spain again in Chester, Pa., on Tuesday.
“As strikers, when you miss a few chances, you get a little frustrated, and Emma is that [Hayes] He comforted us in half a day, saying, ‘We see that it is deflating a little, and it is not necessary.’ There’s only so much time left, and only one shot to get the goals back, and once you get one goal, it’s a moment,” said Rodman.
Finishing – or the lack of it – was the most common theme from the team, which makes sense given Spain’s 13 shots were taken six and they produced 2.26 to 0.43 in expected goals. They put the hedges succinctly, saying:
“When you play the best team in the world, you have to do it in the first instance.”
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Between the slight drop-offs in the space and the few changes that didn’t happen, the attack lacked moments of comfort, but they can be healed. Even when Lily Yohannes missed a penalty kick that could have added momentum to the match, the USWNT produced the world’s best in front of a home crowd at Audi Field. Despite the result, there are good moments to be taken from the game, and one big thing is that Portland Thorns’ Sophia Wilson is well and truly back, although it may not be unfortunate.
“Unfortunate to get hit by lightning,” Hayes said, describing his performance during his preseason press conference. “I think Soph is still getting back into the rhythm of the national team call ups with Brazil. I think in the first half the middle line runs well, but sometimes it is necessary to be better as the players in the game. She wants to turn and go into space, but sometimes I think you have to wait because you can’t make the transition against them. Excellent decision from her when she falls in 1 us 1 and falls into place.
In April, Wilson made his return to the national team following the season due to a combination of injuries and becoming a mother. While the USWNT headed to Brazil this summer, this was a game where the best of the match was available. From the bar in the first half, as Hayes recalled, to the machine shot at Yohanne, making the play and drawing the penalty that was missed, Wilson did a little bit of everything on Saturday.
“I know he’s going to be frustrated, but he’s grown in the game,” Hayes continued. “But there’s still a player that comes back and it’s only really with the last two camps with us, so it takes some time to keep that building, so I prefer to analyze first before I know exactly where I’m going to help the next game.”
For the USWNT to do their best, Wilson is among the players they need to lead the squad, and the signs are there for him to return sooner rather than later. Wilson already has 13 goals for Portland this season, so his game is felt there, and his comfort with the USWNT will only continue to grow with more time on the pitch. Shutout losses are never fun, but when it comes to the hands of No. 1 team in FIFA, it is a good time to look at what has been done well to hit the back of the net on Tuesday, in an unfortunate place.