A boosted Spain women’s team beat the USA 2-0 in a friendly in Pamplona on Tuesday night.
Laia Codina put the visitors up before the break and Ester Gonzalez doubled the lead in the second half with a stunning volley to give Spain an unlikely win over the United States.
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It was the first time the USWNT had allowed multiple goals in consecutive games since February 27 and March 2, 2019, in games against Japan and England, respectively, following a 2-1 loss to the Lionesses for the Vlatko Andonovski’s page on Friday.
“It’s really disappointing, there’s no question about it,” Andonovski said. “We have a winning mentality and if we don’t win, it hurts. It hurt us all. It’s a tough moment for us as a team.”
Spain was without many of its top players, who are locked in a battle with the national federation over who should coach the team. At least 15 players have refused call-ups for a pair of friendlies in this international window in protest at the team’s desire to see the women’s game in Spain professionalised.
The move was seen by the Spanish federation as an effort to force the resignation of coach Jorge Vilda, but the team’s players denied that was the case.
Vilda, who has said he will not step down as coach, oversaw the women’s win against the United States on Tuesday, as well as a 1-1 draw with Sweden on Friday.
Barcelona’s Patricia Guijarro and goalkeeper Sandra Panos, and Manchester United’s Lucia Garcia were among the top players from the team against the US Jenni Hermoso and Alexia Putellas were not included due to injury.
Codina scored in the 39th minute. It was the first goal of a set that the United States has conceded since the Tokyo Olympics last summer. Gonzalez scored a goal in the 72nd minute.
The United States has not lost two straight since the March 2017 SheBelieves Cup, when the team lost consecutive games to England and France.
Both teams are preparing for next summer’s World Cup, joined by Australia and New Zealand. The United States, the world’s top-ranked team, has won the last two World Cups.
The US players are moving after the release last week of a report on abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League. A year-long investigation led by former acting US Attorney General Sally Q. Yates found “systemic” abuse and malpractice in women’s soccer.
American captain Becky Sauerbrunn said the players were “appalled” by the revelations. Five of 10 coaches in the NWSL last season were either fired or fired amid allegations of inappropriate behavior. Yates also presented recommendations for changes.
The U.S. was also missing key players due to injury, including Alex Morgan, Sam Mewis and Catarina Macario. Mallory Pugh was not with the team due to a family commitment.
