An electric atmosphere filled the iconic Wembley Stadium on Saturday evening as the United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) faced off against European champions England in front of a record-breaking crowd. However, despite the palpable excitement and anticipation, neither side managed to find the back of the net, resulting in a hard-fought 0-0 draw.
Experimental Lineups Fail to Produce Goals
Both teams entered the match with notable absentees, as England were without star forwards Lauren Hemp and Lauren James, while the USWNT opted to rest their lethal attacking trio of Sophia Smith, Trinity Rodman, and Mallory Swanson. The friendly provided an opportunity for fringe players to stake their claim, but the lack of familiarity and cohesion was evident throughout the 90 minutes.
The USWNT dominated possession in the first half and looked the more threatening side going forward. However, they were unable to convert their chances, with striker Alyssa Thompson failing to seriously test England goalkeeper Mary Earps. The hosts, meanwhile, struggled to generate any meaningful attacks, registering their first shot on target only in the 55th minute.
Controversial Penalty Decision Overturned
The match’s most dramatic moment came just past the hour mark when the USWNT were initially awarded a penalty for an alleged handball by England defender Alex Greenwood. However, after a lengthy VAR review, the decision was correctly overturned, much to the relief of the home supporters.
Offensive Spark from USWNT Substitutes
USWNT head coach Ashlyn Harris introduced attacking substitutes Yazmeen Ryan and Jaedyn Shaw in the second half, injecting some much-needed energy and creativity into the team’s forward play. Ryan, in particular, looked lively and nearly broke the deadlock with a long-range effort that forced a smart save from Earps.
“I think it has been a tough year, with a few tough results, but we know what we can do as a group,” Earps said post-match. “Drawing against the Olympic champions is no small thing, but we want to be winning those games.”
Mary Earps, England Goalkeeper
Defensive Solidity a Positive for Lionesses
For England manager Sarina Wiegman, the clean sheet will be a welcome sight, especially considering the Lionesses had conceded in four of their previous five matches. The hosts looked more assured at the back, with Earps rarely troubled throughout the evening.
However, England’s attacking woes persist, as they struggled to create clear-cut chances and failed to adequately test USWNT goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who kept a clean sheet in what could be her final appearance for the national team. The absence of Hemp and James was keenly felt, with stand-ins Jessica Park and Beth Mead unable to provide the same level of threat.
Wembley Witnesses Women’s Football History
Despite the scoreless result, the match served as a testament to the growing popularity and support for women’s football. The attendance of 84,356 set a new record for a women’s international friendly, surpassing the previous high of 80,203 set in 2019 when the USWNT faced off against the Lionesses at Wembley.
As both teams continue their preparations for the upcoming FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, the focus will undoubtedly shift towards fine-tuning tactics and solidifying starting lineups. While the USWNT will take heart from their dominant possession and defensive resilience, England will need to address their attacking shortcomings if they hope to defend their European crown and challenge for global supremacy.
The stage is set for a thrilling summer of women’s football, and if the atmosphere at Wembley is any indication, the sport’s popularity is only set to soar in the coming months and years.
