USWNT are beaten at Wembley by England Lionesses

The USWNT suffered a defeat at the hands of England at Wembley Stadium. What should fans make of this streak-ending result?

The USWNT has been defeated 2-1 by England in a friendly at Wembley Stadium. The loss ended their 13-game winning streak. It was also the first time the USA have lost to the Lionesses since 2017.

The match may only have been friendly but it pitted the World Champions against the European Champions and on this occasion, the Lionesses came out on top.

England took the lead in just the 10th minute when Beth Mead’s low cross fell to Lauren Hemp. who finished past Alyssa Naeher.

Sophia Smith equalized in the 28th minute as she slammed the ball into the bottom corner. However, soon after Lucy Bronze won a penalty, Georgia Stanway fired into the net to restore their lead.

The USWNT had thought they had drawn level in the 38th minute as Smith’s cross was flicked on by Megan Rapinoe for Trinity Rodman to finish but it was disallowed for offside.

The referee awarded Vlatko Andonovski’s side a penalty in the 81st minute but it was rightly ruled out by VAR.

17-year-old Alyssa Thompson came on in the 83rd minute for her debut. She has been playing for Total Futbol Academy in the MLS Next league.

Smith had a late chance to claim a draw but her shot ballooned over the bar. Both sides had multiple chances during the second half but ultimately it finished with England as the winner.

Manager reaction

Speaking after the game to Fox Sports, USA manager Vlatko Andonovski said:

"“Obviously it was an extremely difficult week for everybody. I’m proud of the players to even be on the field. It wasn’t easy.“For some to be in the environment, to see and experience everything they went through, I applaud their bravery, I applaud their fearless mentality. Once again they showed that nothing can stop them from playing the game that they love. Very proud of them. Hoping we never have to go through that again.“It was a very special moment when the players got together and had the banner in front of them.“It gave me goosebumps to see the support from the fans that applauded that moment I thought that was incredible, it was a statement that we have to stop sexual violence. Once again the players did an incredible job of using this game, this event, as a platform to fight against it.”"

Background to the match

When the USA beat England on their way to winning the 2019 World Cup in France, the now-head coach of Inter Miami, Phil Neville was in charge of the Lionesses.

Both sides will be amongst the favorites for the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, which begins next July. England has definitely made a statement ahead of the tournament with this victory.

Earlier this week a report was released on the abuse in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL). This fixture was about more than just football with both sides wearing teal armbands, “to stand in solidarity with sexual abuse victims”

The USWNT are up against Spain next in their two-game tour of Europe at the El Sadar Stadium on Tuesday 11th October. Andonovski will be looking to get back to winning ways.