U.S. Women’s National Team players discuss facing the reigning world champions, defensive discipline, and the importance of building chemistry ahead of two highly anticipated friendlies.
FAYETTEVILLE, Ga. — The U.S. Women’s National Team is preparing for one of its biggest challenges of the year as it gets ready to face reigning FIFA Women’s World Cup champion Spain in a pair of international friendlies.
Speaking during a press conference at the U.S. Soccer National Training Center in Fayetteville, Georgia, midfielder Lily Yohannes and defender Kennedy Wesley emphasized the importance of testing themselves against elite competition as the Americans continue preparing for World Cup qualifying.
For Wesley, facing the world’s top-ranked team presents an opportunity to measure the progress the United States has made in recent months.
“To test our tactics, our style of play against the best team in the world is exactly what we want,” Wesley said.
The two matches, scheduled for Washington, D.C., and Philadelphia, represent another significant opportunity for a developing American squad to establish its identity against international competition.
Defensive Discipline Will Be Critical Against Spain
One of the biggest challenges facing the Americans will be containing Spain’s dynamic attack.
Wesley acknowledged that Spain’s ability to interchange positions and maintain possession creates significant difficulties for opposing defenses.
“We’re going to need to be really disciplined,” Wesley explained, emphasizing the importance of maintaining defensive positioning and disrupting Spain’s attacking movements.
She also highlighted the need for the Americans to remain aggressive rather than allowing Spain to dictate the pace of play.
Pressing high up the field and limiting the time available to Spanish players could prove essential to the USWNT’s success.
Wesley credited experienced teammates, including Tierna Davidson and Emily Fox, for helping her develop confidence and defensive chemistry within the national team environment.
Yohannes Welcomes Familiar Faces and Elite Competition
For Yohannes, the upcoming fixtures offer the added excitement of facing familiar opponents from her club career.
The young midfielder discussed her relationship with Spanish international Salma Paralluelo, noting that the two had exchanged lighthearted comments about the upcoming matchup.
Yohannes emphasized that Spain’s individual talent and collective quality make these matches particularly valuable.
She also stressed the importance of maintaining the Americans’ own identity rather than focusing exclusively on their opponents.
Building chemistry, staying disciplined, and remaining focused throughout both matches will be critical, particularly against an opponent where small mistakes can prove costly.
The Washington, D.C., matchup also carries personal significance for Yohannes, who grew up in Virginia and expects a substantial contingent of family and friends in attendance.
New Training Center Provides a Home for USWNT
Beyond the upcoming matches, both players expressed enthusiasm about training at the new U.S. Soccer National Training Center.
Yohannes described the facility as a welcoming environment that brings together the federation’s men’s, women’s, and youth national teams.
Wesley praised its extensive training areas, recovery resources, and locker rooms, describing the facility as a place designed to help players succeed.
The Americans now turn their attention toward Spain, with the upcoming friendlies offering another opportunity to evaluate their progress against world-class opposition.
For a USWNT squad continuing to develop its chemistry and tactical identity, the challenge is significant.
But as both players made clear, it is precisely the type of challenge they welcome.
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