“I’m so excited,” remarked Emma Hayes earlier over the upcoming USWNT vs. England friendly. Just days after leading the American ladies to an Olympic gold medal, the former Chelsea boss now prepares for a homecoming as she will be facing her beloved nation. Though the highly anticipated match between the two women’s soccer powerhouses is dated for November 30, Hayes has already outlined her prediction that it will be a box office affair at Wembley Stadium.

It’s barely a moment where a women’s game, that too, a friendly goes completely sold out. Yet, the former WSL manager is optimistic that London’s iconic 90,000-seater stadium will be full for the friendly occasion. In fact, a “wonderful advert for the game” is what the 47-year-old describes as the emphatic clash between the Lionesses and the Star and Stripes. “Two brilliant teams, I think it will be a top product and something which I’m pretty certain will be a sellout, women’s teams do sell out,” said Hayes, while speaking to ITV News.

The London-born manager undoubtedly holds many cherished memories of the Wembley Stadium. From attending legendary matches with her father as a child to securing victories and lifting trophies on that very pitch, the soccer’s iconic stadium holds a special place in her heart. In an interview earlier, she revealed, “Wembley’s like a second home to me, not just as a kid going there but as a manager, I had a lot of success there. So, it’ll be amazing to go back play 20 minutes for my house, and get to play against some amazing players in England. I’m looking forward to it.”

Interestingly, Hayes was lucky she managed to avoid facing Team GB (Great Britain) in the recent Summer Games, who weren’t participating in the contest for obvious reasons. Eventually, fate did want her to face the awkwardness—a conflict of interest precisely, to see the ex-Blues boss preparing the USA against the very country that gave birth to her.

While it’s almost impossible to avoid this part of the beautiful game, one can surely mark their calendars for the clash. Of course, a win would be the only option for the USWNT against Sarina Wiegman and Co. However, it’s just winning that holds importance for Hayes.

Emma Hayes has more ‘appreciation’ for the USA than England

English fans expressing concern about Emma Hayes helping a rival nation win the Olympics is understandable. However, her past connection with the U.S. inspired her decision to pursue the American dream. “I’ve always found myself to be a little bit lighter when I’m in America. I don’t know why that is. Maybe my formative years working there have such an appreciation for the place,” she said in an interview.

Hayes never implied she wouldn’t have loved to achieve the same with England. The former Chelsea coach still considers herself a “proud English woman” who is eager to win a gold medal, even if it’s for another nation. She even insisted that America means more to her ‘than most people realize.’

Reflecting on her early career, Hayes criticized England for not supporting the women’s game during her 20s, while America ‘opened doors and gave opportunities that England never ever gave’ to her. She also spoke of her pride in being able to repay the trust the U.S. placed in her by clinching the Olympic gold.

It remains to be seen how English fans will receive Hayes when she returns to Wembley. Regardless of that, she does have a reason for the friendly match.