As friendlies go, Friday’s matchup between the U.S. women’s national team and England is about as enticing as they get.
Fresh off winning the 2022 Euros, the Lionesses will be eager to keep manager Sarina Wiegman’s incredible unbeaten streak going against the reigning World Cup champions. The U.S., meanwhile, might have won the biggest trophy in the sport in 2019, but they’ve since been going through something of a transition under manager Vlatko Andonovski.
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These two sides have history, of course: Who can forget the USWNT’s win over England in the World Cup semifinals in France — and Alex Morgan’s goal celebration in which she mimed drinking tea, much to the chagrin of British fans. But mostly, this matchup is about looking ahead: the World Cup is next summer in Australia and New Zealand, and big friendlies like this are vital in the run-up to that next global tournament.
As such, we’ve assembled ESPN experts Sophie Lawson, Jeff Kassouf, Tom Hamilton and Mark Ogden to break down the storylines ahead of the match and make some predictions.
Does this result matter, and would winning (or losing) mean anything for either side?
Hamilton: Injuries have disrupted England’s build-up with Alessia Russo absent, and doubts over captain Leah Williamson‘s forthcoming availability.
Russo was the favourite to start up front Friday following Ellen White‘s retirement, but she has been forced to withdraw because of injury, so Wiegman may rejig the forwards to make room for the in-form Lauren James. If Williamson fails to recover from a training injury, then England will need a new captain.
The original squad showed signs of evolution with the additions of Jess Park and Lucy Parker. Parker could be the long-term successor to Lucy Bronze, but an untimely injury has seen her ruled out. Park will provide competition up front, while Esme Morgan is another option in defence. The opportunity is there for Nikita Parris and Lotte Wubben-Moy, who were originally left out of the squad but have since been recalled. So for England, the biggest question marks are over how they transition from one tournament to the next, and who the players will be to gatecrash next year’s squad.
Ogden: It’s a psychological challenge for England and how they deal with it. Winning can instantly inject teams with the belief, confidence and desire to do it again, but some teams react to success by switching off to enjoy the moment and reflect on what they have done. If England do the latter, you can forget about winning the World Cup. But if they stride onto the Wembley pitch feeling 10 feet tall about the Euros, they will be a better team and a genuine threat to the Americans’ dominance.
The World Cup is the next tournament on the calendar: which player has the most to gain or lose from a big friendly like this?
Lawson: It all depends on who actually gets onto the pitch, as both coaches have called up players who give them multiple options. This means we’re heading into assumption territory. For the U.S., if Andi Sullivan can get a good look in, as she offers something different in midfield, she could potentially upset the balance.
For England, if Daly is given a run out in attack, she could change her role in the team, but it’s more likely that James will see more time in the attack than Daly. If James is allowed to play her game against the USA, Wiegman won’t be left with a choice despite the healthy depth of her attacking options.
Kassouf: I touched on the striker and full-back roles already. Let’s talk about 17-year-old Alyssa Thompson. Is there any greater value add for a first call-up than to have it come on a road trip to face two of the top-10 teams in the world? To talk about the 2023 World Cup for Thompson right now would seem a stretch, but even if she does not get game minutes in October, she stands to gain immense experience on this trip that she can take with her if and when she becomes a regular with the senior team.
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Hamilton: I think England’s James. She made a high-profile transfer from Manchester United to Chelsea in July 2021, but her match time was carefully managed last season by Emma Hayes, who said when James signed that they were going to take time to “build Lauren James to last.”
James played just 200 or so minutes last season. She was frustrated at times, but is reaping the benefits this season. Having been unleashed this term, she has already been one of the standout players in the WSL and made her England debut off the bench in their 2-0 win over Austria. An impressive performance against the USWNT will do wonders for her confidence and her standing in Wiegman’s squad.
Ogden: Park has started the season really well for Everton and has earned her call-up to the senior squad, so what a game to potentially make her England debut. A wonder goal in the Merseyside derby against Liverpool recently sealed her call-up, but although she is surrounded by strong competition, this game gives her the chance to claim a place in the World Cup squad, so she has everything to gain.
Prediction time: Who wins?
Lawson: I’m going to be bold (or just hopeful that we get to see loads of very tasty goals) and say it’s going to be a bonkers 3-2 to the USA after both teams have turned on the style in attack.
Kassouf: England, 2-1. The U.S. will be without Alex Morgan and most likely embarking on some level of experimentation within the game. The Americans might not say it outright, but they’ll take the lessons over the result.
Hamilton: I think this finishes with a neat 2-2… and further tea-cup-drinking antics.
Ogden: When two winners meet in a big game like this, I always go for the one that has done it consistently over a long period. England are a rising force, but the U.S. still rule the roost and will be determined to show it — 2-1 USA.
