LSN News › Singapore

Sport · Singapore Bureau

US women's coach vows to learn from Spain friendly setback

The United States women's football team suffered a 2-0 defeat to Spain in a friendly match on Saturday. Coach Emma Hayes said the loss would provide valuable lessons ahead of crucial World Cup qualifiers next month.

LSN Singapore · 10 October 2026

US women's coach vows to learn from Spain friendly setback

The US women's national team faces a learning curve after falling to Spain 2-0 in the first of two scheduled friendlies, according to head coach Emma Hayes. Despite the disappointing result, Hayes adopted a measured approach to the setback, framing it as an opportunity to identify areas for improvement before competitive fixtures resume.

The friendly encounter marked a significant test for the American squad as it prepares for the high-stakes World Cup qualifying campaign beginning in November. Hayes indicated that matches such as Saturday's contest serve a crucial developmental purpose in the team's preparation cycle.

The two nations are scheduled to face off again in the second friendly, providing the Americans with an immediate opportunity to respond and implement tactical adjustments. Hayes' comments suggest the coach views the pair of matches primarily as a stepping stone toward the more consequential qualifiers on the horizon.

The US women's team will be seeking to regain momentum and fine-tune its approach ahead of the qualifying round, which represents a critical phase in the team's path to the next World Cup tournament.