After winning the Women’s Euros 2022, England’s Lionesses are showing no sign of taking their foot off the gas just yet.
And so what better time to take on the best team in the history of women’s football to test your mettle?
Sarina Wiegman’s side has successfully qualified for the 2023 World Cup and have a string of friendlies coming up to prepare for the campaign in Australia and New Zealand.
Their first one is the toughest game in the sport, against the United States women’s national football team – European champions vs the world champions – on Friday at Wembley Stadium.
It’s easy to think the Lionesses will struggle against this infamous side – winners of four of the eight Women’s World Cups held since the competition’s founding year of 1991.
But here’s why the Lionesses faithful should be confident and excited about the England girls’ chances against the US.
THE SQUAD
Despite the retirement of all-time record goalscorer Ellen White and second-most capped international Jill Scott in recent weeks, the England squad are not short of attacking options.
Keira Walsh, who has just signed for Barcelona, forms a solid part of England’s midfield and her capabilities were on full display throughout the Euros.
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Defenders Lucy Bronze and Rachel Daly would run up the edges of the pitch with the ball, whilst Walsh presses further up the pitch, showing the depth they’re able to cover.
This is the element of England’s game that made them so hard to play against at Euro 2022, something that will be on full display against the USA.
Alessia Russo was also a huge name during the summer. She scored THAT back heel against Sweden which was subsequently named the Women’s Euro Goal of the Tournament. Unfortunately for England, though, they will be without the injured star for the USA clash.
Team captain, Leah Williamson, has also withdrawn from the squad in recent days, alongside Lucy Parker.
Williamson picked up an injury during training which requires further assessment and Park will return to West Ham to continue her rehabilitation.
But they have been replaced with some experienced talent in Arsenal’s Lotte Wubben-Moy, an FA Cup and League Cup winner, and highly-decorated Manchester United star Nikita Parris – winner of the Women’s Super League title, two FA Cups, two League Cups, and the treble with Lyon.
Oh, and she’s scored 50 WSL goals… and won three tournaments as a Lioness.
England also have a dependable pair of hands in Man United shot-stopper Mary Earps between the posts, which should also leave fans feeling confident against the Americans.
Earps was featured in the official Team of the Tournament at the Euro’s after pulling off some immense saves throughout, and keeping four clean sheets – USA stars Alex Morgan and Christen Press will have a hard time getting past her.
THE MANAGER
England have struggled against the USA in the past, and so the pressure is on Wiegman to produce a victory the Lionesses have only enjoyed four times previously.
The rivals have met 18 times in all competitions and the USA have dominated with 12 wins, having drawn just twice.
The Lionesses lost to the Stars and Stripes back in 2019 in the World Cup semi-final, where USA would be later crowned champions and England would claim the bronze medal.
Christen Press scored first, with White following up to make it 1-1, although it wasn’t enough as Alex Morgan scored a second and Millie Bright got sent off – a game to forget for England.
The Lionesses also suffered at the hand of the USA at the She Believes Cup in 2020. In that game, England failed to score and they fell out of the tournament during the group stage.
This feels worlds away from the Lionesses squad we’re used to today, and there’s one person who is responsible…
Wiegman has truly transformed the England women’s football team. After a few shaky years since the end of Hope Powell’s reign, she was the fresh set of eyes and ideas the Lionesses needed.
The former Netherlands player and coach was awarded the UEFA Women’s Coach of the Year award for the 2021/22 season and it’s understandable why the hashtag #InSarinaWeTrust was spotted on Twitter during the Euros.
Following England’s 10-0 win against Luxembourg in September 2022, the final group stage game of their 2023 World Cup qualifying campaign, Wiegman said their focus is now ultimately on the USA.
She’s completely aware of the magnitude behind the fixture, despite it being a friendly, so you can be sure it will be taken seriously.
THE TACTICS
When England faced USA at the last World Cup, the USA nearly had double the shots England had, despite the Lionesses completing 116 more passes.
This again sounds like a completely different squad to Wiegman’s current side.
The team’s style of play has completely changed, it’s more solid and confident – something Wiegman has drilled into the Lionesses following her takeover.
The Lionesses appear to be good at drawing defenders away from their positions, allowing strikers to steal those crucial few yards of space to receive the ball and shoot – we particularly saw this from the likes of Fran Kirby and Lauren Hemp, who took defenders away from White, who sat up top.
Wiegman is certainly not short on options when it comes to tactical changes in attack, especially in terms of replacing White’s output.
The likes of Nikita Parris, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone and Beth Mead can all adapt well in front of goal and give England the lethal touch they need.
THE STATS
The Lionesses have yet to lose under Wiegman, with 20 wins from 22 matches in all competitions.
The USA are unbeaten in their last 21 matches in all competitions, and have eight clean sheets in their last nine games.
England Women have scored 43 goals in their last ten games in all competitions, having conceded only three.
USA also boast a great goalscoring record, although it is less than England with 33 goals in their last ten games.
United States do have a better defensive record, though, having conceded just one goal in that period.
This is only the third meeting between the two teams in England, with both sides each picking up a win apiece in their first two games.
So something has got to give, and we have a feeling it will go England’s way on Friday night.
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