LONDON — England and the United States women’s national team played out a 0-0 draw at Wembley on Saturday evening.
In a tense affair, it was the USWNT had the better chances to break the deadlock. The hosts were without the likes of Lauren James and Lauren Hemp, while the USWNT travelled to Europe without their “Triple Espresso” front three of Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith and Mallory Swanson. So, it was two teams giving a few fringe players the opportunity at a near-sold out Wembley, and it was the USWNT who were had the bulk of possession in the first-half, dangerous in attack play, but lacking the finishing touch.
England had to wait until the 55th minute to have their first effort on target. Lindsay Horan had a goal disallowed in the 48th minute for offside, while one of the big talking points came just after the hour mark when the USWNT were awarded a penalty for what was deemed to be an Alex Greenwood handball that blocked Yazmeen Ryan‘s long-range shot. In the end, intervention from VAR saw it rightly reversed.
With England seven months out from the start of the Euros where they’ll look to defend their crown, you feel they’re still a way off top form. For the USWNT, this was yet another match where they were assured, and had the chance to test their strength in depth.
Ryan and Shaw impact, but USWNT still miss “Triple Espresso” energy
Let’s start with a glass half empty perspective: The USWNT went scoreless for the first time since July.
This is perhaps not a shock when you consider that the team was missing the lethal “Triple Espresso” trio of Smith, Rodman and Swanson, who are all resting after lingering injuries. Without their star figures, an experimental front three of Alyssa Thompson, Lynn Williams and Emma Sears weren’t able to create enough danger against England. But, glass half full: Improvements were immediately seen through attacking subs such as Jaedyn Shaw and Ryan.
Ryan, despite her involvement in just one half, looked like the most dangerous player of the game. The 25-year-old was brilliant off the bench and a dynamic figure in the final third. The same could be said for Shaw, a versatile up-and-comer from the San Diego Wave that was proactive in her cameo role.
Hayes knows that she can’t count on all of her marquee figures game-in and game-out, and a big part of her job going forward is finding the right alternative options that could step in to fully fill the glass of the USWNT attack. — Hernandez
What are England all about, anyway?
First, the good news: England looked more assured in defence than they did against Germany. Wiegman switched between a back four when England were without the ball, and a back three when they were attacking. It meant they looked more settled, and kept out a dangerous USWNT side. Given the Lionesses had kept just four cleansheets in their previous 19 matches heading into Saturday’s game, keeping out the USWNT is a positive step forward.
Now the parts of England that remain a concern. Their ability to play out from the back causes themselves all sorts of self-inflicted havoc, while their midfield lacked presence. And their few attempts on goal were rarely generated through the slick attacking play displayed by the USWNT. This was an England team without Hemp, James, Maya Le Tissier and Ella Toone, and their absence told. There was room for others to impress: with Jessica Naz starting on the wing, and Jessica Park taking the No.10 spot, but neither put down markers to justify more minutes at this stage.
“I think it has been a tough year, with a few tough results, but we know what we can do as a group,” said Mary Earps after the match. “It is about figuring out how we can play.
“That’s the thing with friendlies, you can experiment with a few things. Drawing against the Olympic champions is no small thing, but we want to be winning those games.”
Overall, you feel England are still trying to find the intensity and ability to suffocate opponents that we’ve seen in the past. While this was a decent result all told and a step forward for England, as Wiegman’s team look to peak at the right time for the Euros, they’re not yet at their best. — Hamilton
England’s attack fails to spark
England’s attack throughout the evening was frantic and chaotic. Wiegman wanted to try new things and was forced into two changes due to regular starters Lauren Hemp and Ella Toone suffering injuries. England were still without Lauren James, who has not played for England since April. In fact, Wiegman had only selected five forwards in her 25-player squad.
Hemp, who has been vital to the Lionesses’ successes and arguably one of The Lionesses’ most reliable players, left a gaping hole in the attack. Despite having an impressive start to Manchester City‘s season, club teammate Park could not effectively fill the void, leaving the attack disjointed and lacking in rhythm.
Their pressing was also a stark contrast to England’s. The USA rushed the hosts, allowing them no time on the ball to gather themselves, often forcing them into snap, poor decision-making and keeping consistent pressure applied. In retaliation, England could not press Hayes’ side to any effect.
Wiegman will need to devise a plan to improve their dominance and transitional play if England are to retain their Euros crown. — Keogh
Earps back as England’s No.1
Against Germany, it looked like Hannah Hampton had established herself as England’s new number one. Wiegman was adamant it was all part of the pre-Euros experimentation and sure enough, Mary Earps was restored for the USWNT match.
It’s hard to overstate the Earps fandom when it comes to the Lionesses. As you walked down Wembley Way before the match, her name and image was everywhere: on Christmas jumpers, on scarves. Pre-match, her name got a roar from the crowd to rival Leah Williamson‘s.
Earps was the far busier of the two goalkeepers too, for the most part – making a good early save off an Alyssa Thompson shot, and saving well to deny Krueger in the first half. The second half was more of the same, with Earps palming away a Ryan effort, and while there was some last-minute scrambling in front of her, England looked more assured with Earps at the back than they did against Germany.
After the match, Earps was clearly pleased despite the result. “It’s about me going out there and being who I am. That’s all I try to do. Play with a smile on my face and that’s what I will start to do.” — Hamilton
