USWNT Rallies Past Spain 2-2 as Sanchez, Swanson Score in Returns

USWNT erases two-goal deficit to draw Spain 2-2

Three days after losing 2-0 to Spain in Washington, the USWNT fell behind by two goals again in Chester, Pennsylvania, but this time fought back for a 2-2 draw. Alexia Putellas opened the scoring in the 27th minute, tapping in at the far post off a Clara Serrajordi cross after a lengthy VAR check confirmed Clara Pinedo was onside. Five minutes later, a poor clearance from goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce set up Salma Paralluelo, who smashed the ball off the underside of the crossbar and in.

Ashley Sanchez pulled one back in the 49th minute, her first USWNT goal since July 2022, cutting inside after a pass from Sophia Wilson and finishing low. Mallory Swanson, back after nearly two years away, leveled it in the 86th minute with a volley, becoming the 12th mother to score for the USWNT. Swanson's goal came 795 days after her last one for the national team.

The draw, played in front of 18,648 fans at Subaru Park, leaves the USWNT turning to the Concacaf W Championship, where it opens against El Salvador on Nov. 27. A win in that quarterfinal would clinch a spot at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. Swanson said afterward that the team's mentality is to stay with it, adding that this is what the crest means.

U.S. Soccer launches Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup

U.S. Soccer announced the Arthur M. Blank Crest Cup, a new single-elimination knockout tournament designed to crown one national champion across American women's soccer, featuring every NWSL and USL Super League team. The winner will earn a berth in the Concacaf W Champions Cup. U.S. Soccer president Cindy Parlow Cone said the competition is meant to attract investment and ensure that excellence, inclusivity and opportunity remain at the heart of women's soccer in the United States.

ESPN reports the Crest Cup will carry a prize pool of more than $1.7 million. ESPN first reported the concept in May and says it is expected to launch in 2028, though U.S. Soccer has not confirmed a start date. The tournament is named for Arthur Blank, who owns incoming NWSL expansion club Atlanta City FC, MLS's Atlanta United and the NFL's Atlanta Falcons.

MLS weekend results shake up Western Conference race

St. Louis CITY demolished the LA Galaxy 6-2, with Carlo Holse scoring a hat trick and Rafael Navarro adding two goals and two assists. The result extended St. Louis's unbeaten run to 20 games across all competitions, tying the MLS record, and left the club one point behind first-place Vancouver in the West.

Vancouver drew LAFC 1-1 despite playing nearly the entire match down a man after Tristan Blackmon was sent off in the seventh minute, with Oliver Larraz and Denis Bouanga trading goals. Elsewhere, Philadelphia beat Real Salt Lake 2-1 to extend its own unbeaten run to 13 games, and Miami beat D.C. United 4-0 to move into second place in the East.

Club Brugge stuns Inter in Champions League upset

Club Brugge shocked Inter 4-3 at the San Siro, with 22-year-old Nicolo Tresoldi scoring the first three goals for Brugge before Romeo Vermant added a fourth. Barcelona beat Galatasaray 4-1 in Istanbul behind a dominant second-half display from Lamine Yamal.

Hayes says USWNT seeks toughest opponents, flags club-country gap

Emma Hayes said she came into the camp wanting the hardest opponents available, telling reporters that if she were merely trying to protect a win record, she would pick a lesser opponent. She also discussed the tactical gap between club and country, saying players arrive with club habits that are hard to break in just two sessions, since most clubs defend player-to-player while the national team plays zonally.

Shakhtar uses Stamford Bridge as Champions League home

With no home games available in Ukraine, Shakhtar Donetsk is using Chelsea's Stamford Bridge as its Champions League base this season, hosting AEK Athens there. Head coach Arda Turan said that without a home stadium at this level it is very difficult, but that the club has a dream and great power inside. Soccer America notes Shakhtar remains a hub for Brazilian talent, with 14 Brazilians in the current squad.

Concacaf expands Shriners Children's partnership to W Championship

Concacaf expanded its partnership with pediatric charity Shriners Children's, adding the Concacaf W Championship to a deal that already covers the Gold Cup and Nations League Finals through 2027. Concacaf chief commercial officer Heidi Pellerano said the organization is especially pleased to welcome Shriners Children's to the Concacaf W Championship this year.

Panini unveils three new NWSL card sets

Panini announced three new NWSL card sets, Prizm Black, Donruss Optic and Crown Royale, as part of its multi-year deal as the league's exclusive card partner. Donruss Optic features players including Trinity Rodman, Marta and Sophia Wilson, with all three sets arriving at Target, Walmart and hobby shops this fall.