England take on the USA as Sarina Weigman faces Emma Hayes in a blockbuster friendly at Wembley.
The Lionesses are building towards the defence of the European Championship title next summer but performances will have to improve if England retain their crown. A 4-3 defeat to Germany at Wembley last month was a wake-up call, and Wiegman must now deal with injuries to her team as they welcome the Olympic champions.
Hayes made a sensational start to life as USA manager this summer, winning gold in Paris as part of a fresh, new-look side. Hayes declared that she has her “mojo back” after leaving Chelsea at the end of last season, where the English coach won five Women’s Super League titles in a row with the Blues before turning her attention to the international scene.
Follow all the latest updates from Wembley below.
England vs USA LIVE: Latest updates from Lionesses friendly
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England face USA at Wembley, with kick-off at 5.20pm GMT
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Emma Hayes returns with USA after leaving Chelsea last season
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The Lionesses seek response after 4-3 defeat to Germany last month
England vs USA team news
15:55 , Jamie Braidwood
Sarina Wiegman out on the Wembley pitch ahead of England vs USA.
We’re expecting team news in the next 20 minutes or so.
Emma Hayes felt ‘unwell’ at end of Chelsea reign
15:50 , Chris Wilson
Emma Hayes revealed she felt “unwell” at the end of her time as Chelseaboss due to the stress of the job.
Hayes, who ended her 12-year reign in charge of the Blues to become head coach of the United States women’s team, is back in London as her new side prepare for Saturday’s friendly with England at Wembley.
The 48-year-old, who guided Chelsea to a fifth successive Women’s Super League title in May, opened up about the toll the job took on her health before she made the switch to international management.
Emma Hayes felt ‘unwell’ at end of Chelsea reign
The two areas England and Sarina Wiegman must fix in tactical battle with Emma Hayes
15:40 , Jamie Braidwood
Sarina Wiegman had already highlighted where England need to improve long before Emma Hayes and the United States landed in London ahead of Saturday’s marquee clash at Wembley. While Hayes has enjoyed her return to her home town, pouring pints in Camden music venue she visited in her youth, and the USA have celebrated thanksgiving week, the Lionesses have been hard at work preparing for the visit of the Olympic champions. England have another chance to get it right. It surely can’t go as wrong as the defeat to Germany last month.
The two areas England and Sarina Wiegman must fix in tactical battle with Emma Hayes
England players among nominees in 2024 Fifa Best Awards
15:30 , Chris Wilson
Three England stars have been announced as nominees for the women’s player of the year at the 2024 Fifa Best Awards: Lucy Bronze, Lauren Hemp and Keira Walsh.
Mary Earps – who has won the women’s goalkeeper of the year in the past two editions – is nominated for that same award again, while Beth Mead has been shortlisted for the inaugural ‘Marta’ award for the best goal of the season (and is named after famed Brazilian forward Marta, who coincidentally is also nominated).
Emma Hayes is among the nominees for coach of the year.
Ruby Mace sets sights on cementing England starting spot after ‘dream’ call-up
15:20 , Chris Wilson
Ruby Mace insisted her first senior England call-up was a “dream come true” as she set her sights on trying to cement her position in the national team long term.
The Lionesses will take on the United States on Saturday and Switzerland next Tuesday in two home friendlies as preparations continue for next summer’s European Championship, where England look to defend their crown.
Sarina Wiegman handed first international call-ups to Leicestermidfielder Mace and Manchester City’s Laura Blindkilde Brown, who have both represented the Lionesses at youth levels.
Ruby Mace sets sights on cementing England starting spot after ‘dream’ call-up
England call up Lotte Wubben-Moy after Maya Le Tissier ruled out with concussion
15:10 , Chris Wilson
Arsenal defender Lotte Wubben-Moy has been called up to Sarina Wiegman’s England squad to play the United States on Saturday.
She replaces Manchester United captain Maya Le Tissier, who was diagnosed with concussion after her side’s Women’s Super League loss to leaders Chelsea on Sunday.
England will first face former Chelsea boss Emma Hayes’ American Olympic champions at Wembley before taking on Switzerland at Bramall Lane next Tuesday.
England call up Wubben-Moy after Le Tissier ruled out with concussion
Lucy Bronze views USA clash as perfect test for England ahead of Euros defence
14:50 , Jamie Braidwood
England defender Lucy Bronze feels Olympic champions the United States will be the perfect test with less than a year to go until the Lionesses defend their European title in Switzerland.
The Americans’ visit to Wembley will also mark the first time former Chelsea manager Emma Hayes – now the USA head coach – will share a touchline with England’s Sarina Wiegman in a much-anticipated showdown between two of the most formidable bosses in the women’s game.
Bronze, who in July signed for Hayes’ former Women’s Super League side on a two-year deal, has noticed a steady rise in the rivalry between the top two teams in FIFA’s global rankings.
Lucy Bronze views USA clash as perfect test for England ahead of Euros defence
USA boss Emma Hayes hopes England clash can be a celebration of women’s football
14:30 , Jamie Braidwood
Emma Hayes sees Saturday’s Wembley clash between England and the United States as an opportunity to celebrate progress that has been made in the women’s game.
The friendly, a meeting of the top two sides in the FIFA women’s rankings led by the US, is expected to have an attendance of more than 83,000.
Hayes, who guided Chelsea to a glut of silverware in a 12-year tenure before taking charge of the USA team during the summer, was asked at her pre-match press conference how she felt English women’s football was doing in comparison to America.
USA boss Emma Hayes hopes England clash can be a celebration of women’s football
Is England vs USA on TV? Channel, time and how to watch Lionesses
14:20 , Jamie Braidwood
The friendly match will kick off at 5:20pm BST on Saturday 30 November at Wembley.
How can I watch it?
England vs USA will be shown live on ITV 1 and ITV X and coverage starts at 4:30pm. If you want to stream major sporting events while you are travelling or watching from abroad you’ll need a VPN. Get the best VPN deals in the UK. Viewers using a VPN need to make sure that they comply with any local regulations where they are, and also with the terms of their service provider.
England vs USA: What is the team news?
14:15 , Jamie Braidwood
The Lionesses will be without Lauren Hemp, Lauren James and Ella Toone due to injuries. Hannah Hampton could continue in goal ahead of Mary Earps, and while there’s a chance Alex Greenwood could be recalled to defence, Sarina Wiegman may name the same defence that started against Germany at Wembley.
Grace Clinton should replace Toone in midfield, alongside Georgia Stanway and Keira Walsh. While Jessica Naz is a contender to start alongside Alessia Russo and Beth Mead in attack, in place of the injured Hemp.
Trinity Rodman, Sophia Smith, and Mallory Swanson are not in the USA’s squad due to injury, forcing Emma Hayes to name a new front three.
Lionesses v USA LIVE
14:10 , Chris Wilson
England host the United States and Emma Hayes in a marquee friendly between two of the world’s best teams at Wembley.
The Lionesses were left reeling by a chaotic 4-3 defeat to Germany last month and Sarina Wiegman’s side will have to improve as they continue their preparations ahead of Euro 2025 next summer.
The European champions defeated the USA at Wembley in October 2022 – but the four-time World Cup winners have undergone significant changes since under the new reign of former Chelsea manager Hayes.
The English coach enjoyed a sensational start with the USA by winning gold at the Paris Olympics, setting up an intriguing first clash with Wiegman on the touchline.
Both teams have been hit by injuries but there is plenty of pride at stake as England and the USA renew their rivalry five years on from meeting in the semi-finals of the 2019 World Cup.
Lionesses v USA LIVE
14:00 , Chris Wilson
Good afternoon and welcome to The Independent’s live coverage of today’s friendly between the Lionesses and the USA.
The match marks Emma Hayes’ return to the UK for the first time since she managed Chelsea, while Sarina Weigman’s team are looking for an important win after recent results against Germany and South Africa.
We’ll have all the latest build-up, news and updates right here.
Read the full article here