U-19 USWYNT comes back three different times in gritty 3-3 draw against Spain

ALICANTE, Spain – The U.S. Under-19 Women’s National Team came from behind not once, not twice, but three times to tie Spain, 3-3 in the second of two matches against the hosts.

The U.S. put in a quality performance to earn the draw after falling 3-0 to Spain in the first match of the trip on May 31.

Spain is currently setting the standard for women’s international soccer as the reigning FIFA U-20 and U-17 Women’s World Cup champions, along with winning the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup last summer.

While the USA managed just one shot in the first match, the young Americans fired 11 – same as Spain – in this game, and put six on goal, also equaling Spain.

Spain opened the scoring in the 24th minute as Intza Eguiguren played a perfect ball behind the U.S. back line for Raquel Villar, who rounded charging U.S. goalkeeper Sonoma Kasica just outside the penalty and finished into the open net from seven yards out.

It didn’t take the USA long to equalize as forward Mia Oliaro intercepted a pass in the Spain defensives third, took on two defenders into the left side of the penalty area before making space to strike a left-footed shot across the frame and into the lower right corner from 16 yards out.

Amazingly, Spain scored just seconds after the kickoff with Daniela Lázaro catching Kasica off her line with a soaring shot from just behind the midfield line to give her side the 2-1 lead.

To the USA’s credit, another great response was soon in the making as the USA equalized in the 32nd minute. It came when Bella Winn stole the ball from Spain goalkeeper Julia Arrula Llorente inside the penalty area and scored from a sharp angle in the left side of the penalty area.

The teams went it into the half tied 2-2, but Spain took the lead again in the 67th minute. After a sustained period of possession, Daniela Aguirre won a challenge inside the penalty area and struck a half-volley with her left foot into the lower right corner from 12 yards out.

The USA tied the match again four minutes from the end of regulation time as defender Kiera Staude crossed from the left wing. The ball took a deflection off a Spain defender, and then forward Jaden Thomas was able to shield another Spain defender from getting a touch on the ball. Engle was first to the bouncing ball and finished from 10 yards out with her left foot into the left side of the net. The Spain goalkeeper got a piece of the ball but couldn’t keep it out of the goal.

Players born on or after Jan. 1, 2005, are age-eligible for this U-19 WYNT cycle. For this camp, U.S. head coach Carrie Kveton selected nine players born in 2005 and 11 born in 2006. All players in the U-19 WYNT player pool are age-eligible for the upcoming 2024 FIFA U-20 Women’s World Cup, set for September in Colombia.

U.S. UNDER-19 WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT

Match: U.S. Under-19 WYNT vs. Spain Under-19 WNT
Date: June 3, 2024
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Estadio Municipal Guillermo Amour; Alicante, Spain
Attendance: 100
Weather: 72 degrees, sunny

Lineups:

USA: 12-Sonoma Kasica; 2-Sammy Smith (Capt.), 6-Hailey Baumann, 5-Cameron Roller (4-Reese Klein, 46), 3-Aven Alvarez (7-Kiera Staude, 63); 8-Joelle Jung (13-Linda Ullmark, 73), 14-Grace Restovich (10-Mia Bhuta, 63), 15-Addison Halpern (18-Shae Harvey, 63), 19-Miri O’Donnell (20-Izzy Engle, 63), 9-Bella Winn (11-Jaden Thomas, 73), 17-Mia Oliaro

Subs not used: 1-Kealey Titmuss, 16-Ava McDonald

Head Coach: Carrie Kveton

ESP: 23-Julia Arrula Llorente (13-Laura Sánchez Comuñas, 46); 6-Marina Artero Moreno (Capt.), 18-Victoria Chica Comas, 3-Adriana Ranera Casanovas, 12-Aïcha Camara Camara (7-Noemi Bejarano Beltrán, 46); 17-Oihane San Martín Burgos (8-Ainhoa Alguacil Amores, 63), 14-Daniela Arques Lázaro (16-Paula Rubio Peñalver, 46), 4-Intza Eguiguren Beraza (20-Olga San Nicolás Rolando, 75), 9-Maria Luisa García Antolín; 19-Naiara Sanmartin Lopez (11-Daniela Agote Aguirre, 46), 5-Raquel Gil Villar (24-Paula Comendador Prado, 63)

Subs not used: 1-Eunate Astralaga Aranguren, 2-Judit Pujols Parera, 10-Cristina Librán Quiroga, 15-Bárbara López Gorrado, 22-Sara Tamarit Verdeguer

Head Coach: Sonia Bermúdez

Statistical Summary: USA / ESP
Shots: 11 / 11
Shots on Goal: 6 / 6
Saves: 3 / 3
Corner Kicks: 1 / 9
Fouls: 10 / 8
Offside: 6 / 0

Misconduct Summary:
None

Officials:
Referee: Raquel Ortíz García (ESP)
Assistant Referee 1: Alba Félix Egea (ESP)
Assistant Referee 2:Naiara Martínez (ESP)
4th Official: Lucía Torremocha Gómez (ESP)