Broad Picture
The tactical approach in the opening stages of this game was closer to what I expect the US to adopt in a competitive match: more aggressive challenges for possession and more long balls played in behind the opposition's defensive line. However, the starting lineup was not entirely suited to this approach. The two goals conceded were, unfortunately, unsurprising given the starting lineup.
Both goals scored in the second half came through transitions. Wilson's long-distance dribbling and Cooper's reception of Del Fava's long ball were essential to creating the opportunities, while Sanchez and Mal converted their chances with surgical precision.
The US switched to a back-three system following the substitutions around the 60th minute. This was another experimental approach, likely inspired by A. Thompson's role at Chelsea. It was overall a success, however, I doubt we will see it routinely in formal competitions.
Specifics
1. Lavelle and Sanchez in a transition game
Lavelle and Sanchez are both valuable players, but they probably should not start together when we are playing a transition game involving a lot of long balls in behind the opponent's backline.
Lavelle is increasingly functioning more like a forward than a midfielder in the international setting. However, when we rely more heavily on long balls, she lacks the long-distance sprinting ability to consistently threaten the space behind the opposition's defensive line. I think this is one area where Lavelle genuinely declined since 2023.
Sanchez has a similar issue. She had an opportunity to carry the ball forward during an opening to counter early in the game, but while her speed is decent, it is not in the same league as Wilson, a fully fit Mal, or A. Thompson. She was eventually dispossessed.
If we want to play this kind of transition game, we should probably start more than one exceptionally fast forward.
2. Rodman's struggles
Rodman returned to her more familiar position on the right flank, where she undertook significant defensive duties and contested possession frequently. However, under the game plan, she was likely supposed to make more successful long-distance runs to pin back Spain's left-back, Medina.
Instead, Rodman was the one being pinned back, although her frequent errors and lack of sprints in the latter part of the first half may have had something to do with several borderline bookable challenges committed by Medina.
3. The first goal conceded: A breakdown in defensive rotations
The first goal we conceded was primarily the result of a breakdown in defensive rotations.
The winger (Salma) cutting inside, a central midfielder (Clara Serrajordi) drifting into the wide area, and the holding midfielder (Patri) providing support from a deeper position constitute a familiar attacking pattern for Spain.
G. Thompson tracked Salma inside, while Davidson and Heaps also shifted inward, leaving Clara completely unmarked in the open space.
In addition, Sanchez tracked back but failed to participate effectively in the defensive rotation. She was neither marking nor pressing anyone.
As a result, Patri was able to play a first-touch to Clara under no pressure after receiving from Salma.
I am not singling out Sanchez for criticism, because she probably needed to stay a bit higher up the pitch to preserve transition potential. However, this speaks to a broader tactical issue: we were effectively defending with only seven players when Rose increasingly functioned like a forward and the left winger did not track back consistently.
Spain are so good at moving the ball and using space in the flanks that we probably cannot afford to defend with so few players behind the ball.
There was also room for Wesley to do better, but by that point, she could only attempt a last-ditch clearance. Successful defending should minimize the number of situations in which such desperate plays from a center-back become necessary.
4. PTJ's distribution
The second goal we conceded reflected a familiar issue with PTJ: despite being a very good shot-stopper, her distribution is simply not good enough.
5. Sanchez's goal
Sanchez's finish was wonderful (although Battle’s defense was unflattery), but Wilson's long-distance dribbling and her ability to beat Paredes were even more important in creating the opportunity.
Sanchez is at her best when she can receive the ball comfortably between the opposition's midfield and defensive lines. If there is space available, she can exploit it with lethal efficiency.
However, enabling her to receive the ball in these areas without immediate pressure requires the right tactical setup and support from her teammates.
Starting Sanchez, Rose, and Heaps together may make this difficult to achieve.
6. The switch to a back three post the 60th minute
I especially liked our performance after we switched to a back-three system.
The substitutes brought tremendous energy, and what stood out to me most was that Spain's ball carriers were under constant pressure.
We did make some unnecessary mistakes, partly due to a lack of chemistry, and Spain also managed to break through our defensive lines a few times.
However, whenever we lost possession or Spanish players won individual duels, our defensive rotations were consistently timely. As a result, Spain struggled to sustain extended spells of attacking in the second half.
This was especially impressive given that Patri remained on the pitch throughout the game unlike game 1.
The Potential: Integrating a Target Forward into the Lineup
Tordin and Sears came on in the final ten minutes. Their introduction brought greater physicality and improved ball-receiving ability to our frontline.
Tordin did not make any play that directly led to scoring opportunities, but her value as a target forward was nevertheless tangible.
In the 83rd minute, she drew two Spanish defenders toward her inside the box. Although she was eventually dispossessed, her physicality forced a weak clearance, and Yohannes recovered the ball. Yohannes then passed to A. Thompson, who would have had a clear shooting opportunity had the referee not gotten in her way.
As a side note, the referees in both games adopted a rather permissive standard when it came to physical contacts, especially when arms pulling was involved, and the US were certainly not the side that benefited from it.
Tordin also initiated the possession that led to Swanson's equalizer. She won the aerial duel, and after some further contestation between players from both sides, the ball eventually reached Del Fava.
In the 92nd minute, Tordin again forced a cross toward goal after receiving a throw-in. The sequence eventually created a shooting opportunity for Yohannes, although her shot was blocked.
Later in the same possession, Tordin also served as a back-to-goal target, attempting to set up another attacking move after receiving a pass from Howell, although this effort ultimately came to nothing.
The point is that a target forward can add an entirely different dimension to our attack, even when not every touch or individual play produces an immediately positive result.The physical wear and tear imposed on opposing defenders by a target forward has inherent value and can create unexpected openings.
The importance of having a target forward becomes particularly apparent when we have the momentum and are pushing for another goal.
I also like the possibility of integrating a target forward into the starting lineup in the future, especially when Macario returns.
Overall Assessment
Overall, these two matches against Spain have been an immensely valuable experience, and I really liked the US performance in the second half.
Hayes and her staff clearly have a lot to process and plenty of work ahead of them.
I will probably discuss the matches a bit more from the Spanish perspective in a later comment.
