Sonia Bermúdez: Spain without friendlies, seeks victory in Washington

In the press conference led by Daniel Pérez of EFE Barcelona, Spanish coach Sonia Bermúdez announced that the women's La Roja will face the United States this Saturday in Washington at 20:30, and emphasized that, even though the match is a friendly, the team will approach the game with a winning mentality.

Evolution and ambition of La Roja

Bermúdez highlighted that Spanish women's football has progressed greatly at club level and within regional federations, and that the standard in the youth categories is very high. She noted that the fixture will be between two of the best national teams in the world, offering a unique opportunity to enjoy the spectacle. Moreover, she stated that this evolution allows testing new tactical models.

She explained that, although the context differs from an official competition, Spain has two matches ahead to experiment and observe all the players. She assured that, for both teams, “friendlies do not exist” and that the goal is to win every encounter. The coach expressed full confidence in her squad’s competitive ability.

Goalkeeper competition

She recalled her stint as a player in American soccer, when she played for the Western New York Flash in 2014, describing the experience as incredible but very different from Spanish football. According to Bermúdez, the United States' style is more physical and transitional, traits that define their opponents.

She commented that facing the United States as a coach is “nice” and that the duel will contribute to La Roja’s preparation for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. She noted that the United States is among the favorites and that “there are very powerful teams”. The coach emphasized that the match will be a fire test for both squads.

Regarding the goal, Bermúdez reported that Cata Coll is injured and that Misa, Nanclares and Eunate will compete for the starting spot. She indicated that the decision will be made between today and tomorrow, and that the three goalkeepers are in perfect condition to play. The coach hinted that any of them could receive minutes in the upcoming commitments.

The contrast between the friendly label and the declared ambition reveals Spain’s determination to treat the encounter as a decisive test. With the line‑up still to be decided, the match in Washington appears as a key step on the road to the World Cup.