In a showdown between the best teams in the world, the No. 1 USWNT will take on No. 2 England for the first time in two years on Saturday at London’s iconic Wembley Stadium in front of over 80,000 fans.
For Saturday’s game, the US lineup will be missing forwards Mallory Swanson, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman, also known as “Triple Espresso.”
The team will also start the process of finding a replacement for legendary goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who recently announced that this will be her last international window playing for the US.
The USWNT and England’s transatlantic rivalry
These two top international teams have a long history of competition, leading to a spirited yet friendly rivalry.
The upcoming match will mark their 20th meeting, with the US holding a 12-5-2 record against England. The last encounter between the two teams ended in a 2-1 victory for the Lionesses in 2022 at Wembley. However, the US defeated England 2-1 in their latest world tournament clash during the 2019 World Cup.
Two of the best bosses in the business
While the spotlight will be on the top players on the field, Saturday’s match will also showcase two of the best head coaches in the women’s game: England’s Sarina Weigman and the USWNT’s Emma Hayes.
Weigman, a former Dutch national team player, has ties to the US having played for the University of North Carolina. On the other hand, Hayes, who hails from London, has coached in the US before leading Chelsea to success in England.
USWNT boss Emma Hayes’s triumphant return
Hayes, who recently took over as the USWNT head coach, has a strong connection to Wembley as a place of past success. She aims to lead the USWNT to victory against England on Saturday.
US, England eyeing future titles
While friendly matches may have lower stakes, a win on Saturday could provide crucial momentum as both teams prepare for upcoming competitions. England is looking to defend their European title in Switzerland next summer, while the US is focused on the 2027 World Cup after winning Olympic gold in Paris.
How to watch the USWNT vs. England international friendly
The USWNT vs. England game will kick off at 12:20 PM ET on Saturday, with live coverage on TNT.
