England vs USWNT start time, how to watch and live score: Match line-ups, predictions and preview from Wembley

2′ England 0-0 USWNT

Early chance for the visitors as Smith shows that pace and runs straight down the left flank. She slices inside and gets a shot, but Earps is able to drop on her near post and collect himself comfortably.

1′ England 0-0 USWNT

Peeeep! Both sets of players get on their knees – hearty applause – and then we’re in Wembley Stadium bubbling with anticipation and off we go…

The Lionesses had planned to show their support for the USA team tonight in front of the cameras.

The show of solidarity comes after the results of an independent investigation into allegations of abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in America’s National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) were released on Monday.

Both teams gather in the center circle and hold up a banner that simply reads, “Protect the players.”

There is also a minute’s silence for the victims of the Indonesian stadium tragedy.

The lights at Wembley dim, the music cranks up, England legend Jill Scott lifts out the still-gleaming Euro 2022 trophy and the teams exit the tunnel.

England’s Class of ’72 form a guard of honor for this summer’s champions and we’ll hear the national anthems in this banging atmosphere…

The players headed back inside after the warm-up – Megan Rapinoe was certainly in a relaxed mood…

Kick-off is only 15 minutes away.

The Football Association dedicated the international marquee tonight to the 50th anniversary of the England women’s national team.

The FA, of course, banned women’s football in 1921 and it wasn’t until almost 50 years later that the ban was lifted.

Tonight, the players of the 1972 team that played England’s first international game against Scotland – a 3-2 win at Greenock near Glasgow – will also receive a made-to-measure England cap as part of the evening’s celebrations.

They will also line up with the current Lionesses before kick-off.

It has been raining heavily, but hordes are pouring down the Wembley Way in anticipation.

It’s the first time USA have played at Wembley since Megan Rapinoe and Becky Sauerbrunn led their teammates to a fourth Olympic gold medal in 2012, but it’s the first England-USWNT encounter at the stadium.

No Leah Williamson for England, of course, so Millie Bright wears the armband for the hosts at Wembley and Alex Greenwood comes into defence. Alongside Beth Mead and – in shirt No 9 – Lauren Hemp, there’s a start-up top for Euro 2022 match-winner Chloe Kelly.

Trinity Rodman, 21, only made her USWNT debut in February, but she’s making her first start tonight, joining Sophia Smith and Megan Rapinoe in a US attack that truly blends youth with experience.

This is how the visitors line up…

Sarina Wiegman has named her starting XI…

It’s being lashed out in London, not that Rachel Daly’s spirits seem to have been dampened.

We’ll bring you the team news as soon as it’s here…

The USA and England meet for the 19th time tonight, with the USWNT far ahead in terms of head-to-head records: 12 wins, 4 draws, 2 losses.

However, seven of the last eight meetings between the teams have been decided by a goal or fewer, giving the chances of another competition.

The teams have only played in England twice before: in 2011 the Lionesses won 2-1 at Leyton Orient and in 2015 the USA lost 1-0 at MK Dons.

England’s Euro 2022 final against Germany at Wembley Stadium set a new record for the highest-attended match at a men’s or women’s European Championship with 87,192.

Tonight’s game in the 90,000-seat stadium was billed as a sell-out, marking another milestone.

Sarina Wiegman’s squad are reminded of their special summer as they enter their dressing room…

Alex Morgan is back with a brew and a prediction…

England’s Player of the Year Beth Mead is set to seek revenge tonight for losing the 2019 World Cup semi-finals to USA.

That match served as a tea sip for Alex Morgan’s goal celebration, and while Mead put up with the teasing, she knows the match-up will serve as a marker.

“We’re more coffee drinkers than tea drinkers, so it’s okay,” Mead laughed when asked about that meeting and that moment.

“It was a difficult result but it made us even hungrier and more motivated to prove ourselves against a world-class team. We’re looking forward to seeing where we are.”

Trying to inspire youthful hopes with his trusted players, USA head coach Vlatko Andonovski reckons playing in front of a partisan Wembley crowd will provide crucial experience for his squad ahead of the World Cup.

“We wanted to go through adversity and find a way to overcome it. And what better way to do that than later playing against England and Spain in front of a packed stadium of 90,000 spectators.

“They (older players) know what it takes to win big games and play environments like that and be successful. But then we have the next generation… the younger ones who have to experience this, which I think will be the closest we can get to playing in the actual World Cup game.

“I look forward to showing what women’s football means around the world because this is the next stage in the evolution of football, the support of football.”

The last time these sides met – at the SheBelieves Cup in March 2020 – USA emerged victorious 2-0 and England looked second best overall.

Has the gap narrowed since then? Here’s what our writers say…

Stephen Yang: I think the gap has narrowed from a talent perspective but also from a preparation perspective as England come out of their successful EURO. The USWNT will mostly feature many players who have just wrapped up a very long and intense NWSL season, with the six-team title playoffs still to come.

Flo Lloyd Hughes: The gap has definitely narrowed, largely due to the departure of Phil Neville and the arrival in Wiegman of one of the best coaches in the world. Growing competition in the WSL and Champions League has also boosted the level, technical ability and athleticism of English and European football.

Charlotte Harpur: In late 2020, the Lionesses’ technical performance strategy was separate from the men’s division for the first time. This has allowed women to implement their own strategies and control their own budgets. In addition, WSL has been fully professional for five years and this competitiveness at national level is rubbing off.

Now ask your questions and The Athletics Charlotte Harpur will join a few hours before kick-off.

Our talk page will be live throughout the evening for you to catch Sarina Wiegman’s team sheet, overall performance and result.

Alyssa Thompson’s call-up certainly caused a stir.

The high school athlete played for the USA at this year’s U20 World Cup in Costa Rica but plays for a boys academy team in the MLS NEXT youth development league back home.

“It’s a great presentation for her and it’s a good experience for us to have the opportunity to work with her,” said Vlatko Andonovski. “What happens then, we’ll see.

“We are excited about their potential. Alyssa is a very creative player. We think she has the ability to play as a winger but not as a classic winger. She has a very good understanding of how to get into the next channel internally and expose teams in those areas. I have no doubt that she will fit well into our system.