On a chilly Saturday evening at Wembley Stadium, England and the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) showcased a competitive and engaging match that ended in a goalless draw. The Lionesses, under the guidance of head coach Sarina Wiegman, sought to make a statement against the reigning world champions in anticipation of the upcoming UEFA European Championship scheduled for summer 2024. While Wiegman aimed for a victory, she likely found some solace in the impressive defensive performance and the clean sheet her side managed to maintain.
The USA has been on an impressive run under coach Emma Hayes, boasting an unbeaten streak that now extends to 14 matches. Nevertheless, there may have been a sense of frustration among the American players and coaching staff as they failed to secure a win in what was viewed as a critical contest, particularly given that they were missing several key players, including forward Trinity Rodman, rising star Mallory Swanson, and enigmatic striker Sophia Smith.
In a post-match interview with ITV, Wiegman expressed her thoughts on the match and the lessons learned. “It was a very intense game—played at the highest level,” she remarked. “We had some positive moments.” The England coach noted that her team displayed commendable organization in defense and added that there were opportunities for them to press the visitors further. Highlighting the ongoing development of her squad, Wiegman remarked, “This game illustrates where we currently stand, and we need to keep improving as we move forward. November is here, and while this performance is satisfactory, we aspire to be even better.”
The match kicked off with the Americans displaying their intent from the outset. Just five minutes in, Alyssa Thompson unleashed a curling shot that forced England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps into a spectacular save, tipping the ball around the post. Earps earned the starting spot ahead of Hannah Hampton and was crucial in keeping her team level in the early exchanges. However, despite dominating possession, the USA struggled to convert their chances, as seen when Lyon’s Casey Krueger had her shot parried into a crowded box, cleared just in time to evade Lynn Williams.
England initially faced challenges, failing to record a single shot on target during the first half. Shortly after the restart, they were reminded of the threat posed by their opponents when Lindsey Horan’s deft touch redirected a strike from Rose Lavelle into the net, only for the goal to be disallowed due to an offside call. As the game progressed, Alyssa Naeher, the US goalkeeper, became more involved, ultimately catching a header from Leah Williamson that marked the first time she was truly tested.
As the match continued, there was drama surrounding a potential penalty for the USA when Alex Greenwood’s attempted block on Yazmeen Ryan was deemed handball. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was overturned, much to the relief of the English side. As the second half wore on, England gained confidence and came close to scoring when Alessia Russo almost made contact with a well-delivered cross from Beth Mead.
Ultimately, neither team could find the back of the net, and they settled for a hard-fought draw. With the international break continuing, England’s focus will now shift to their upcoming friendly match against Switzerland, who are set to host Euro 2025.
In the aftermath of the match, Hayes expressed her pride in the US team despite the absence of key players. “Given the context of facing England, especially after our defeat to Germany, a reaction was essential. I had the opportunity to witness younger, less experienced players rise to the occasion,” she said post-match on ITV. She emphasized the importance of this developmental phase, stating her pride in how her team handled the match. “You can embody dual sentiments. I take great pride in being an English woman, while also feeling immensely honored to coach the United States.” This sentiment captured the spirit of the game—competitor and coach alike, demonstrating resilience and pride on the international stage.
