Emma Hayes returned to England on Saturday evening with the USWNT for a glamour tie against the Lionesses, but all ended square at Wembley Stadium.
Both sides were without some big names, with the famous “Triple Espresso” of Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith and Trinity Rodman all sidelined for the USA. Sarina Wiegman was also without the likes of Lauren James, Lauren Hemp, Ella Toone and Niamh Charles.
It was an evenly contested game, although Hayes’ side had a few more attempts on goal with three shots on target compared to England’s one. They also enjoyed slightly more possession with 54% to the Lionesses’ 46%.
The USA will now play another friendly midweek against the Netherlands, while England are also back in action on Tuesday night against Euro 2025 hosts Switzerland. Wiegman’s side are now well into their preparations for next summer’s tournament, with Nations League group stage matches also to come in the new year.
How the game unfolded
The USA set the tone for the game early with a good chance from Alyssa Thompson. The forward had time and space in the box, and was able to pick her spot, but Mary Earps made a crucial save on the stretch.
England’s first attempt came a few minutes later with some good build-up play between Beth Mead and Georgia Stanway. Mead picked out Jess Park in the box, but the Manchester City midfielder’s effort failed to hit the target.
Earps was called into action once again on the half-hour mark as she denied Casey Krueger with another fine stop. Thompson found space down England’s left and her initial effort was blocked by Lucy Bronze, but only as far as Krueger as she aimed for the far corner before the Lionesses goalkeeper got down to make the save.
There was then another opportunity for England, this time Park attempting to pick out a run from Alessia Russo, but Naomi Girma was alive to it and stepped in with a crucial interception. Despite a handful of chances, neither side was able to break the deadlock before the half-time whistle.
Hayes’ side started the second half strong, and they thought they took the lead just moments after the break. Rose Lavelle’s effort was heading wide, but Lindsey Horan was able to get a touch to turn it into the back of the net.
The flag was swiftly raised and replays showed Horan was clearly offside. Even so, it was an early warning sign for England early as the hosts brought a renewed sense of energy to the second half.
USA substitute Yazmeen Ryan was next to cause England problems as she made a dangerous run and picked up the ball in the box. Instead of taking the chance herself, she was unselfish and attempted to square it to Horan, but Leah Williamson was able to get in the way with some crucial defending and see it out for a corner.
England then sparked into life with a positive ten-minute spell, with the first chance coming from some good link-up play between Park and Stanway. Park’s eventual cross into the box failed to find a white shirt and Arsenal’s Emily Fox cleared comfortably for a corner that was headed straight at Alyssa Naeher by Leah Williamson.
Minutes later, England’s high press resulted in a turnover and Stanway was able to unleash an effort from just outside the box. It was bound for the top corner, but USA defender Emily Sonnett made a crucial headed interception to put it behind.
The biggest moment of the game came just after the hour mark as Ryan got a shot away that hit Alex Greenwood. With a good view of the incident, the referee pointed to the penalty spot, but replays showed it hit the City defender square on the chest.
VAR was called into action and, after rewatching the incident on the monitor, the penalty was rightfully overturned by the on-field referee. It was a huge let off for England as sloppiness in possession very nearly cost them.
Check out the player ratings for England vs USA here.
There will be plenty of selection debates ahead of the Euros in Switzerland next summer, but few will be as significant as the goalkeepers. Mary Earps has been England’s long-standing number one, but the emergence of Hannah Hampton at Aston Villa and now Chelsea has provided some fierce competition.
Earps, though, put in a standout performance as she was twice called into action in the first half. On both occasions, she was able to make a crucial stop to keep the scoreline level, proving she is still able to step up in the big moments.
Who Wiegman turns to for the Euros remains to be seen, but it’s fair to say Earps will not be conceding her place without a fight.
A majority of the USA’s chances, particularly in the second half, were born out of England errors. In the early stages after the break, England struggled to maintain any sort of possession, which wasn’t helped by the visitor’s high press and intensity.
The penalty awarded on the hour mark was rightfully overturned, but Ryan’s initial attempt came from Stanway giving the ball away in midfield with a loose, sloppy pass. To be clear, it was nowhere near as disastrous as the Germany performance last month, and a clean sheet against the USA is not to be sniffed at, but England cannot keep gifting their opponents opportunities.
It’s evident there has been a shift of focus this international break as, errors aside, England’s defensive display was solid. The difference between Saturday’s performance and the 4-3 defeat to Germany was the host’s ability to recover and make those last-ditch defensive efforts.
However, while England made strides at the back, their attacking play in the final third suffered. It wasn’t through a lack of effort, as Beth Mead’s work off the ball was outstanding, but things didn’t quite link between the front three.
Wiegman does, of course, have the likes of Hemp and James to return from injury, who both offer pace and impetus. But, the lack of minutes for Aggie Beever-Jones when England are struggling in front of goal is bemusing.
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