Alexia Putellas chases 150 Spain caps in the rematch against the United States

Spain head to Chester riding the momentum of Saturday's win and with a milestone in sight. The world champions face the United States again on Tuesday, October 13, at Subaru Park, just outside Philadelphia, three days after beating them 2-0 in Washington. And there, Alexia Putellas could become the first Spanish player to reach 150 caps for the senior national team.

A 2-0 built in 14 minutes

At Audi Field, Spain settled the meeting between the world's top two ranked teams early. Patri Guijarro opened the scoring in the 3rd minute with a long-range strike past Claudia Dickey, and Eva Navarro doubled the lead in the 14th with a volley from Salma Paralluelo's cross from the left.

The United States had chances to pull one back. Sophia Wilson had a goal ruled out for offside after a VAR review, and in the second half, after a foul on Wilson was given with the help of VAR in the 67th minute, Adriana Nanclares saved Lily Yohannes' penalty. Late on, Athenea del Castillo was sent off for pulling Michelle Cooper's hair and Spain finished with ten.

It was Spain's second straight win over the United States, following a 2-0 victory in Pamplona in October 2022. Before those two wins, the Americans had won all three previous meetings.

Alexia, one game away from a unique milestone

Alexia Putellas travelled to the United States with 149 caps for Spain. If she plays in Chester, she will reach 150, a mark no Spanish player has hit before at senior level. Irene Paredes, with 128, and Jenni Hermoso, with 125, are next on the list. Head coach Sonia Bermúdez called the record "unique and very hard to achieve" and confirmed that the midfielder, now at London City Lionesses, is available.

"I expect a much tougher game tomorrow," said Bermúdez, who will be without Athenea, suspended after her red card. Claudia Pina is also out, with Lucía García called up in her place. Oihane Hernández, the only NWSL player in the squad (Orlando Pride), is also expecting a more physical game than in Washington.

The United States look for a response

Emma Hayes made no excuses after the defeat. "They're world champions for a reason," the coach said, according to AP. Her team put more shots on target but could not convert them. "I think we didn't lack chances last game, we just didn't finish," Sophia Wilson told The Philadelphia Inquirer. On the bright side, Hayes welcomed back Mallory Swanson, who on Saturday played her first match for the national team in more than 700 days.

Tuesday is also a dress rehearsal for the United States, who play the Concacaf championship in November, which hands out places at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil and the 2028 Olympics. Spain have already secured their World Cup spot.

Kickoff and TV

• When: Tuesday, October 13, 7 p.m. ET (8 p.m. in Argentina; 1 a.m. Wednesday in Spain).
• Where: Subaru Park, Chester, Pennsylvania.
• TV: TNT and HBO Max (English) and Universo and Peacock (Spanish) in the United States; Teledeporte in Spain.

Sources: U.S. Soccer, EFE, Europa Press, AP, AFP, The Philadelphia Inquirer.