Content overview: “USWNT Midfield Puzzle Remains Unsolved After Spain Struggles as Emma Hayes Tests New Combi”. women’s national team’s midfield cohesion remains a pressing concern after a difficult outing against Spain, with head coach Emma Hayes still searching for the right combination in the center of the park. In the latest of two consecutive matches against the world champions, Spain looked more confident and effective, exposing the gap between the teams. Both sides were missing key players: the U.S. was without defensive anchor Naomi Girma and midfielder Sam Coffey, while Spain missed Aitana Bonmatí, Mariona Caldentey, and Clàudia Pina.
The absence of Coffey was particularly felt, as the U.S. struggled to control possession and dictate tempo. Hayes has experimented with various pairings, but none have yet provided the balance of defensive cover and creative distribution needed against elite opposition. The full version stays on the original page, which this listing opens directly.