We Speak Soccer
USWNT 2-2 Spain: Swanson’s Emotional Equalizer Caps Comeback in Chester
The United States women’s national team produced a comeback full of meaning on October 13, rallying from two goals down to draw world champions Spain 2-2 at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania.
Spain, who had beaten the US 2-0 three days earlier, looked in complete control at half-time. Alexia Putellas scored on 27 minutes in her 150th international appearance, and Salma Paralluelo doubled the lead five minutes later.
Emma Hayes’ side was transformed after the break. Ashley Sanchez, starting for the national team for the first time in 714 days, cut in from the left and curled home on 49 minutes. Sanchez, the NWSL’s leading scorer with 20 goals this season for North Carolina, scored her fourth international goal and her first since 2022.
The equalizer, on 86 minutes, belonged to Mallory Swanson. Set up by Michelle Cooper, she volleyed the ball to herself and fired past Misa Rodriguez for her 39th international goal, her first since the 2024 Olympic gold medal match, and her first since giving birth to her daughter last fall. She became the 12th mother to score for the United States.
In front of 18,648 fans, it felt like a marker. Next up for the US is the Concacaf W Championship, which doubles as qualifying for the 2027 World Cup.
We Speak Soccer
Sioux Falls Lincoln Wins Fourth Straight South Dakota Class AA Boys Title in Shootout Classic
Sioux Falls Lincoln’s dynasty survived its hardest test yet. The Patriots beat Watertown 2-1 in a penalty shootout on October 17 at the Allen Mitchell Athletic Complex in Watertown to win their fourth consecutive South Dakota Class AA boys soccer state championship.
On a cold, windy afternoon, Watertown, playing in front of their home crowd, struck first when senior Roger Carranza scored his 23rd goal of the season six minutes into the second half. Lincoln levelled with 5:46 remaining, Jacob Burchett converting a penalty kick, and after two scoreless overtime periods the title came down to a shootout.
Both teams converted their first four kicks. Then senior goalkeeper Opland Sonnichsen saved Watertown’s fifth attempt, from Xane Fligge, and Marlo Gerling buried the winner into the upper-right corner.
“We practice a lot,” Sonnichsen said. “I knew they were good penalty kickers, so I knew I would have to dive left and right. But we got the job done.”
The title is Lincoln’s sixth overall, tying Sioux Falls Christian’s state records for consecutive championships and total championships. Head coach Alex Nelson called it “a storybook ending for these seniors.” Watertown finish a historic 16-1-1 season, the program’s best, with 16 seniors playing their final high school match.
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