Washington is preparing to stage a meeting of women’s football’s leading powers as the United States welcome Spain for two friendly internationals on the road to next year’s World Cup in Brazil. The Olympic champions face the reigning world and European champions, with a Spanish side led by Sonia Bermúdez arriving despite several major absences.
The news from the club
Spain will be without Aitana Bonmatí, Mapi León and Clàudia Pina among others, yet the visitors remain a team held in considerable regard across the Atlantic. Alexia Putellas, especially admired in the United States, is among the stars expected to command attention during the Washington stop.
United States coach Emma Hayes has stressed that her side will need a complete collective display to overcome Spain, both with and without the ball. The English coach knows many of the Spanish internationals well from her years facing Barcelona in the Champions League while in charge of Chelsea.
Hayes reserved particular praise for Barcelona midfielder Patri Guijarro, describing her as an “exceptional footballer”. Guijarro has regularly been considered worthy of Ballon d’Or recognition and has appeared among the candidates, but has yet to win the award.
The United States coach also highlighted the wider identity of the Spanish national team. She said that identity has been shaped by a player-development and coaching structure she considers stronger than that of any other country.
Trinity Rodman identified Spain’s pressing as a central challenge for the American team. She said the hosts have been working on finding routes out from their defensive area and delivering the ball into their attacking line, a task that will be crucial across the two meetings.
A Washington test before Brazil
The double header brings together two teams accustomed to arriving at major tournaments with expectations of silverware. For the United States, the Olympic gold medallists, it is an opportunity to measure themselves against a Spanish generation that has collected both the World Cup and European Championship.
For Spain, even with key players unavailable, the trip offers a high-level international examination before the next World Cup. Washington will host a contest between two sides with different traditions but similarly formidable ambitions.
