In a thrilling homecoming for Emma Hayes, with 80,000+ fans packed into the Wembley Stadium, the USWNT and England played out a goalless draw, a match which promised a lot but ultimately went null. Despite the high stakes, neither side could break the deadlock. For Hayes, she missed out on her full-circle moment at Wembley, a stadium that is dear to her. 

Having spent 12 years at Chelsea, Emma Hayes’ return to Wembley didn’t go exactly as planned. Despite the expectations, the ex-Chelsea boss has maintained her perfect managerial record ever since taking charge of the USWNT. 

On the other hand, Sarina Wiegman’s England team came into the match as favorites to win on home soil. Even without the attacking threat of the ‘Triple Espresso’ the Three Lionesses struggled to break down the US defense. Here’s a look at the standout performances and surprising letdowns from the 0-0 draw between the USWNT and England at Wembley.

Winners

Yazmeen Ryan

After being brought on in the second half, Ryan was a fresh breath of air to the USWNT attack. She was a constant threat down the wing, making wide runs, and linking up with her teammates. If she had started the entire match, chances are she could have found the back of the net.

Naomi Girma

Girma was like a brick wall for the USWNT. Her display was nothing short of spectacular. Calm and composed like always, she helped Alyssa Naeher earn her 10th shutout of 2024, the most she’s ever had in a single year for the Stars and Stripes. No wonder she’s considered to be one of the best defenders in the world.

Sam Coffey

Coffey dominated the midfield and pretty much controlled the tempo of the game. She was winning the second ball left and right and constantly breaking up England’s attack. Often her contributions go unnoticeable but she put in a solid performance like always.

Losers

Emma Sears

Sears struggled to make an impact during her time on the pitch. Despite her pace, the forward couldn’t exploit England’s backline which did look vulnerable at times. It was a disappointing performance and her lack of experience showed. Sears got subbed off at halftime. 

Lynn Williams

Williams is known for her work rate and intelligent runs but was often left isolated in the attack. She found it difficult to link up with others and the lack of service didn’t help. With triple espresso missing, this was an opportunity for Williams to grab a spot in the starting XI for future games.

Lindsey Horan

Horan’s performance was lackluster in this match. She struggled with passing the ball forward, giving it away multiple times. Her inconsistency left some fans disappointed with her performance, as it looked like the midfield leader was missing.

It was a game full of promise but the key players failed to turn potential into results. Hopefully, in the final fixture, the scoreline will tell a different story, promising a much more exciting game. With some key players expected to return, the final fixture will finish in style ahead of the international break.