USWNT and England draw 0-0 at Wembley as two of the world's best fail to muster much attack in friendly

USWNT face the Netherlands next as Emma Hayes continues to experiment with her squad

The U.S. women's national team and England played to a 0-0 draw on Saturday, trading shots but unable to break the deadlock in front of 78,000-plus at London's Wembley Stadium.

Both head coaches went with strong lineups, but mixed a few players with less experience into their teams, teasing a competitive battle that went through many phases over the course of the 90 minutes. The best chances of the game arguably came in the opening half-hour from the USWNT, with Alyssa Thompson and Casey Krueger forcing two big saves out of England goalkeeper Mary Earps. The first half was more of a tactical chess match than anything else, though, with the teams frequently locked in midfield and failing to take a single shot from the 31st to the 42nd minute.

The game opened up more in the second half with both teams targeting the game's opening goal, especially England after taking just one shot in the first half. Neither side was able to muster much in terms of quality shots, though, with Leah Williamson's 55th minute attempt serving as the only shot on target of the second half.

Though there was not much in terms of experimentation for the USWNT, head coach Emma Hayes did award NWSL Rookie of the Year contender Ally Sentnor with her debut in the 88th minute. Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher also earned a clean sheet in what could be her final game for the national team, announcing on Monday that she will retire from international soccer at the end of the year.

The USWNT return to action to face the Netherlands in The Hague on Tuesday, which will be their final game of the year.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 2:15 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

FT: ENG 0, USA 0

That's a wrap at Wembley Stadium, where a much-anticipated game ends goalless. This game was in part defined by the tactical clash between the two head coaches, who were able to cancel each other out, but a lack of precision means quality chances were few and far between. It was an entertaining game for sure that adds to the growing rivalry between these sides, but perhaps a tamped-version of things considering it was a friendly rather than a big tournament game.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 2:07 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Another USWNT substitute

88' Sentnor comes on for her USWNT debut, coming on in Horan's place. It's been a good year for Sentnor, who was a rookie of the year contender in the NWSL and was part of the U.S.' U-20 team that finished in third place at the World Cup earlier this year.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 2:01 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Corners for the USWNT

81' The USWNT have earned a few corners in a row over the last few minutes, though they haven't been able to string together a lot of meaningful chances. Earps has been up for the challenge a couple of times but England's defense as a whole has done enough to keep the USWNT at bay lately.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:55 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Mead gets close

77' Mead goes up against Fox and takes a stab at making a cross as several teammates run into the box, but Mead's cross bounces past the goal and out of play.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:54 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Substitutions for England

74' Now it's Sarina Wiegman's turn to make changes, with Kelly and Kirby coming on for Naz and Park.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:52 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Changes for the USWNT

73' Shaw and Albert come on Williams and Thompson, marking a complete change of the front line that started for the USWNT. Looks like Albert will play like an 8 alongside Coffey, with Lavelle drifting to the right.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:47 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Russo makes a run

69' It's England's turn to make a run at goal, with Russo getting the better of Sonnett on the right flank and making a cross into the penalty area. Bronze is the furthest player forward but she can't really get a great touch on the ball and so the play ends there.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:46 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

No penalty

67' Though the referee initially signaled for a penalty, the referee notices after checking on the monitor that the ball doesn't touch Greenwood's hand or arm at all. Play resumes as normal.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:44 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Penalty check for the USWNT

64' The USWNT make a run into the penalty area and it's Ryan up against Greenwood. The England defender does outstretch her arms but the ball comes off her chest perhaps, not necessarily her arm or hand. The VAR check is ongoing, and now the referee is checking the moment on the monitor.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:36 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

England with some looks

59' Now it's England's turn to put the pressure on, with their press allowing Mead to get some decent looks at goal. Fox is able to steer the ball out of trouble once, Naeher makes a stop on another occasion while a ball just deflected off of Sonnett for a corner. England maintain pressure through that corner but Krueger is able to clear things out after a little while.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:34 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Ryan gets close

54' The USWNT maintain pressure in and around England's penalty area, inching closer and closer to scoring the game's opening goal. Horan surprises England by making a run on the right flank and sends the ball across the goal line rather than going for goal herself, but her ball doesn't miss the bottom left corner by much. Moments later, Ryan's making her way towards goal and looks to play the pass and can't find it, but perhaps should've gone for goal herself.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:29 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USWNT look bright

50' The USWNT are off to a strong start in the second half, with Ryan becoming involved pretty quickly in a couple of meaningful attacking plays. She's responsible for a play that resulted in a messy moment in the box, but Earps was once again able to steer the ball out of danger.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:24 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Back for the second half

The USWNT make one sub at the break, with Ryan coming on for Sears.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:10 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

HT: ENG 0, USA 0

It's goalless at the half at Wembley Stadium, but not for a lack of trying from the USWNT. The visitors have had more possession and the better shots, also limiting England to zero shots on target, making it clear that the U.S. have been the better team in a lot of ways so far today. The wide areas have been a real strength for the USWNT, with Thompson in particular dominating her flank against Bronze. We'll see if England manager Sarina Wiegman makes any halftime tinkers to address the performance.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 1:06 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

A shot from Coffey

44' The USWNT have been steadily looking for another look at goal and finally get it with Coffey, who takes a shot from a similar spot as Krueger and Thompson before her. There's not as much pace on this chance, though, making it an easier save than the others for Earps.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:55 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Krueger with a chance

32' Thompson battles with Bronze and though it looks like the ball's about to go out of play on the left side, Thompson actually is able to catch up to it and plays a terrific ball into the box that Krueger is able to get ahold of. The fullback takes a powerful shot from inside the box that forces a great save out of Earps. There's a little bit of a scramble in the box before England are officially out of danger.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:50 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

England have some promise

27' England are continuing their spell of possession and build something promising with Russo finding Mead in the box, but the ball is far away enough that Fox gets the ball first and keeps the USWNT out of trouble. That seems to be England's problem so far -- there are some good ideas for sure, but they look a little disjointed right now.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:45 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

England finding some chances

22' England are clawing their way back into this one after absorbing a lot of USWNT pressure in the opening 15 minutes, with Park registering their first shot of the game and the Lionesses winning a freekick yards from the penalty area. Not much comes of the second opportunity but their recent spell of possession is adding to the big-time feel of this game.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:37 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Scramble in the box

14' England may have been the ones with the bright start initially, but the USWNT have quickly taken control of this game and already have two shots. They're spending a lot of time in England's half and boast an ability to create something out of almost nothing. Take Fox for example -- England had seemingly snuffed out a corner for the USWNT but Fox found a way to inject some new life out of that chance by winning the ball and drifting out wide, though she was unable to find the final pass after an England player came up with the block.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:28 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Thompson with a shot

5' Horan plays the ball back to Sonnett, where some smart build-up play begins near the haflway line. She soon sends the ball to Lavelle and then from there, the midfielder looks to her right and passes to Sears. The NWSL rookie is in the box and then plays a ball through traffic to the left for Thompson, who takes a strong shot that forces a corner. It's a nice first look for Thompson, who actually made her USWNT debut two years ago at Wembley Stadium.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:23 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Early action for England

1' Basically straight from kickoff, England go for goal and it's Naz with the final touch of the ball before Naeher easily collects the ball in perhaps her final game for the USWNT.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:11 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

ENG 0, USA 0

The game is officially underway at London's Wembley Stadium.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:15 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Mauricio Pochettino's in the house

New USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino is in attendance today at Wembley Stadium, which comes as little surprise -- not only is he a London native, he's also friends with Emma Hayes after they both crossed paths at Chelsea.

[Nov 30, 2024 at 12:00 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Alyssa Naeher's farewell tour

Today's game could be Alyssa Naeher's final game for the USWNT, marking a fittingly high-profile occasion for one of the team's most important players. Naeher is the last active player in the pool from the 2015 Women's World Cup winning team and though she was a backup at that tournament, she soon emerged as the USWNT's undisputed first choice in goal. Naeher will play on with the NWSL's Chicago Stars next year, with her contract there expiring at the end of 2025, but she took time on Wednesday to explain her decision to call time on her national team career.

• Naeher: "I feel very fulfilled with what we've been able to do, and it takes a lot out of you, honestly. I've given everything I've had to this team, and I don't do anything halfway. ... Coming off of the Olympics, having the year that we had, entering into a new cycle, a new stage for this team, it just felt like I've kind of given everything I have to give to this team, and it just felt like the right time." 
  

[Nov 30, 2024 at 11:45 am ET · Pardeep Cattry]

England's first choice team

England's Sarina Wiegman goes for a similarly strong team, mostly going with players based in the WSL. NJ/NY Gotham FC's Jess Carter, though, earned a spot in the lineup for today's clash. Here's a look at England's starters

England starting XI: Earps, Bronze, Williamson, Greenwood, Carter, Walsh, Naz, Park, Stanway, Mead, Russo

Substitutes: Hampton, Morgan, Kirby, Bright, Turner, Kelly, Clinton, Beever-Jones, George, Moorhouse, Mace, Blindkilde-Brown

[Nov 30, 2024 at 11:30 am ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USWNT's strong lineups

The USWNT's lineup is full of Olympic gold medalists including Naomi Girma, but Emma Hayes did leave two spots open for rising talents Emma Sears and Alyssa Thompson after strong outings for the national team in October. Here's a look at the U.S.' lineup.

USWNT starting XI: Naeher, Fox, Sonnett, Girma, Krueger, Coffey, Horan, Lavelle, Sears, Thompson, Williams

Substitutes: Sams, Albert, Nighswonger, Shaw, Sentnor, Yohannes, Davidson, Malonson, Hershfelt, Haught, Gaetino, Ryan

[Nov 30, 2024 at 11:15 am ET · Pardeep Cattry]

The USWNT-England rivalry

The USWNT and England are not traditional foes, but England defender Lucy Bronze described the dynamic as "a rivalry that's blossomed out of nowhere" in recent years in a lot of different ways. The pair last met in a high-profile friendly at Wembley Stadium two years ago, which England won 2-1, but more notably faced off in the 2019 Women's World Cup semifinals that the U.S. won. The two countries have also become focal points as women's soccer grows globally, which Bronze also spoke about in her pre-match comments on Friday.

• Bronze: "They're such a great team both on and off the pitch, that's something we really admire of them and something they've inspired us to do as an England team, after winning the Euros. Watching what they did, trying to change women's soccer in America, we had that opportunity in England as well, and we kind of both now bounce off each other in that respect off the pitch. We're friends, we're rivals, we're a community, but at the same time we still want to beat each other. With England and America it's always that high level of 'rivals' but 'respect.'"

[Nov 30, 2024 at 11:02 am ET · Pardeep Cattry]

The Emma Hayes effect

Six months into Emma Hayes' time in charge of the USWNT, captain Lindsey Horan said she's noticed a difference -- and not only because they won Olympic gold over the summer.

• Horan: "It's been incredible. I'm not just blowing smoke right now. I think for us going into the Olympics, the poise, the calmness, the confidence that we had and still have is, I think, directly related to how our manager is and how she is on the sideline and how she is in meetings and I think I have a lot of respect for that because it gives me calmness, it gives us poise, it gives us the confidence to do our thing and know that we can. I think it's really, really special with a leader, I think -- you have just a little bit of time to prepare for an Olympics and to be in these camps and the teachable moments are so crucial and I, as a veteran -- I'm not going to say my age but I'm still learning and I'm growing as a player and I think that's the coolest thing for me so to think of all these younger players coming into this environment and going into these games as well."

[Nov 30, 2024 at 10:45 am ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USWNT's era of experimentation

USWNT head coach Emma Hayes opted for a mix of experienced talent and up-and-coming players for this roster, including 10 players who have 10 or fewer caps and two who are still awaiting their debuts. Though today's game -- and Tuesday's at the Netherlands -- feel like big occasions, Hayes emphasized on Monday that experience in matches like these are crucial for younger players. Hayes has also been a notable critic of her predecessors' over-reliance on veteran talent and hopes to strike the balance between experimentation and stability so she can successfully expand the player pool.

• Hayes: "Of course, we're coming to win at the weekend, but it's not my overarching goal. I want to win the World Cup. I'm not going to put out a completely experimental team. There have to be connections and relationships but I also want to give opportunities so getting that balance in these two games is critical because there is going to come a moment. I want a player who's got one or two caps to experience what it's like to play in front of 80,000 people and it feels a bit hostile and a little bit cold."

[Nov 30, 2024 at 10:16 am ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Hello and welcome!

The USWNT are back for their year-end friendlies, kicking things off with a big one -- a game against England and London's Wembley Stadium. Both teams are stacked with top-tier talent but have mixed in enough fresh faces to use today's game as very important preparation as they build towards the future.

Stick around for pre-game buildup, as well as updates once the referee blows the whistle to begin play.