USWNT and England played to a 0-0 draw in a thrilling encounter at Wembley Stadium, marking a notable homecoming for Emma Hayes on Saturday.
Hayes, a native of London and a celebrated coach who led the U.S. women to Olympic gold this summer, returned to her homeland for a friendly match against the reigning European champions.
This clash featured the top two teams in the FIFA women’s rankings, with the U.S. creating more opportunities but ultimately finishing the match without a goal.
“I’m super proud of the way we imposed ourselves on the game; it’s just the last part of the pitch,” Hayes remarked. “Overall, I’m pleased with the performance.”
Despite missing key players like Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson due to injuries, the U.S. squad showcased its depth and skill, overpowering an England team that also faced injury setbacks, including forward Lauren Hemp and defender Maya Le Tissier.
Alyssa Thompson’s curling shot early in the game tested England’s goalkeeper Mary Earps, as the U.S. quickly established dominance in possession and controlled the pace of the match.
However, the Americans struggled to convert their chances into goals, failing to find the back of the net.
In a pivotal moment, Sam Coffey’s shot from outside the box in the 44th minute was easily saved by Earps, and shortly after halftime, U.S. captain Lindsey Horan had a goal disallowed and then missed an angled opportunity.
An initial penalty awarded to the U.S. was overturned by VAR, confirming that the ball had struck Alex Greenwood’s chest instead of her arm.
Despite the draw, Hayes, who boasts an impressive record of seven Women’s Super League titles during her 12 years at Chelsea, expressed satisfaction with her team’s performance. Notably, during her tenure, the Chelsea men’s team cycled through 11 different managers.
When asked about her emotions while coaching from the away dugout and listening to the English national anthem, Hayes shared, “You can be two things at once. I’m a proud Englishwoman who is proud to coach America. I don’t have to choose; I definitely love both countries.”
