The USWNT has been a dominant force in recent years, but their kryptonite has often been the Three Lionesses. With Emma Hayes set for an emotional return to Wembley Stadium, star forward Lynn Williams will be eager to deliver a victory that would give her coach a perfect welcome on home soil which she richly deserves. 

As the Gotham FC player gears up to walk out in front of 80,000 fans at Wembley Stadium, she shares how the electrifying atmosphere will get the squad going. For Emma Hayes, the venue is a familiar stage, having hosted numerous trophies during her illustrious 12-year stint at Chelsea. This will be the first meeting between current European champions England and the USWNT since winning Olympic gold this summer. 

“We always want to beat them,” said Williams in a pre-match media conference. “And I think that there’s always just this battle going back historically. It’ll be a good test for us and for them.” The last time the USWNT played England was in 2022 when the three Lionesses won 2-1 at Wembley, their second win over the US women’s team in just over five years. When comparing head-to-head, Emma Hayes’ side has managed to bag more victories over the England squad. 

“You always have to respect every opponent you face and we’re going to respect them, but we’re also hopefully going to take it to them as well,” said Williams, who in her 73 appearances for the USWNT has found the back of the net 20 times. Hayes will be counting on the 31-year-old’s services who is NWSL’s all-time leading scorer. 

With the Triple Espresso being sidelined for the friendlies, Hayes will expect other players to step up in the absence of Sophia Smith, Mallory Swanson, and Trinity Rodman. The trio has been rested following a tiring season, and the ex-Chelsea boss wants her star players to be 100% match-fit. However, with a star player retiring, questions arise about who will step up to fill the void for Emma Hayes’ squad in her absence.

‘I feel very lucky to call her a friend’ -says Lynn Williams on retiring USWNT icon

If you haven’t heard the news, USWNT no.1 goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher announced her retirement from international duty earlier this week. This will be a significant blow for Emma Hayes, as the 36-year-old is renowned for her clutch moments—moments England fans will remember all too well.

Her penalty save in the semi-final of the 2019 World Cup, denied England the opportunity to equalize the score and the women’s team went on to win the World Cup. “I feel very lucky to call her a friend. She is someone I would go on coffee dates with all the time and I’m really going to miss that,” said Williams about Naeher. 

The USWNT is blessed with a plethora of talent so there’s little reason for concern. Under Emma Hayes, the squad remains unbeaten and is hoping to continue that streak. However, history suggests that the Three Lionesses could spoil the reunion party at Wembley for Hayes and Co.