England vs USA score, result: Lionesses edge USWNT, but Trinity Rodman goal is controversially disallowed

Simon Borg

England vs USA score, result: Lionesses edge USWNT, but Trinity Rodman goal is controversially disallowed image

England vs. USA at sold-out Wembley Stadium lived up to the hype. European champions England claimed the heavyweight battle against World Cup champions USA by a 2-1 score, but it was not without controversy.

The USA thought they had the 2-2 equalizer on a 37th-minute goal by Trinity Rodman, but the officials disallowed the tally after a VAR check. The Video Assistant Referee spotted an offside on Sophia Smith that was not obvious from the replays.

England had taken an early lead on a lightning quick attacking move that saw Beth Mead feed Lauren Hemp in the box. The Americans tied it at 1-1 later in the first half when they forced a turnover near the England box and Smith converted expertly.

The home side reclaimed the lead on a penalty kick awarded after the VAR spotted a high boot to the face of England's Lucy Bronze in the U.S. box. Georgia Stanway, who was one of England's standouts, converted the spot kick.

England, who won the 2022 Euros during the summer, are now unbeaten in 23 straight matches. Meanwhile, the 2-1 loss was the USWNT's first of 2022 and its first defeat since the 2021 Olympic semifinal setback to Canada. Both teams are expected to contend for the 2023 FIFA World Cup next year.

DECOURCY: USWNT player grades vs. England

England, USA stand against player abuse

The lead-up to the match was overshadowed by the findings of an independent investigation that detailed systemic abuse in women's professional soccer, specifically in the NWSL.

The players from both nations teamed up for a show of solidarity before and during the match by standing behind a banner that read "protect the players", jointly taking a knee before kickoff, and then wearing teal armbands for survivors of abuse and sexual assault.

DECOURCY: USWNT players demand accountability after release of Yates report

Controversy around USWNT disallowed goal

The discussion boils down to this: Was there a clear and obvious error that the officials missed on the field when Rodman scored in the 37th minute? Judge for yourself, but the offside called on Sophia Smith is anything but obvious from this freeze frame, though the camera angle is clearly not ideal.

The decision by the VAR erased a spectacular attacking play with three Americans touching the ball in the England box as Rodman finished off the move. It would have also meant the 2-2 equalizer.

Head referee Riem Hussein had another questionable decision later in the match, signaling a penalty for the USA that was later overturned by VAR since the alleged handball never actually happened. Replays showed the ball came nowhere close to hitting the arm of the England defender.

England vs USA highlights

If these two teams do meet again at the 2023 FIFA World Cup, the Oct. 7 friendly provided a clear understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of both nations. They were each missing starters, but their tendencies were still evident.

The Lionesses are excellent in transition when they can run at the opponent. The willingness of their attackers to make runs — together — is enough to cause chaos for any backline in the world. The sprints by Beth Mead, Lauren Hemp and Chloe Kelly offered some of the most entertaining moments of the match. U.S. center-back Alana Cook struggled, though her young up-and-comer colleague Naomi Girma showed excellent recovery skills.

As good as England were going forward, they're not as assured in possession, especially when they tried to build from the back. But credit to manager Sarina Wiegman — they keep at it undeterred no matter how many shaky moments they have

The lone U.S goal saw England's Georgia Stanway caught in possession near her own box, and Sophia Smith converted. Stanway was otherwise a midfield force on the night, as was Sophia Smith for the USA. The best actions by the Americans all involved Smith, who showed she could do it all while playing in a center forward role in Alex Morgan's absence. She did so well, the USWNT will have to strongly consider moving her into that spot, and handing her usual right wing position to Trinity Rodman.

Smith is a legitimate star that this young USWNT can build around. With a front line of Mal Pugh, Sophia Smith, and Trinity Rodman, and Lyon's Catarina Macario operating behind them, the Americans have the talent that can decide a tight match at the World Cup.

England vs USA final score

  1H 2H Final
England 2 0 2
USA 1 0 1

Goals:
ENG — Lauren Hemp (Beth Mead) — 10th min.
USA — Sophia Smith (Lindsey Horan) — 28th min.
ENG — Georgia Stanway (penalty) — 33rd min.

England vs USA live updates, highlights from women's friendly

Final: England 2, USA 1

93rd min.: USA chance! A floated ball in the England box falls to Sophia Smith but she can't square her shot on goal and it sails high. That may have been the USA's final chance.

83rd min.: SUBS USA: Teenager Alyssa Thompson (for Megan Rapinoe), veteran Becky Sauerbrunn (for Noah Girma), and Ashley Sanchez (for Trinity Rodman) are in for the final minutes. Rose Lavelle playing at right wing, Thompson at left wing.

82nd min.: Penalty awarded to the USA scratched by VAR. A Rose Lavelle shot in the box goes off the backside of Lauren Hemp, and perhaps influenced by Lavelle, the referee initially pointed to the spot. But after VAR alerts her, the referee reverses her decision.

76th min.: Chance England! Georgia Stanway just misses the top left corner with her shot.

72nd min.: Aaron Rodgers sighting at Wembley Stadium. And Ted Lasso, too. The Green Bay Packers play in London this weekend.

68th min.: SUB England. Ella Toone on for Frank Kirby to occupy that pocket right behind Lauren Hemp. The move comes seconds after Trinity Rodman can't get her shot on goal after a Rapinoe set piece.

63rd min.: SUBS USA. Crystal Dunn (for Sofia Huerta) and Sam Coffey (for Andi Sullivan) on for the final 25 minutes. Dunn slots in at left-back with Hailie Mace moving to the right-back spot.

56th min.: Chance England. And now it's Lucy Bronze with a first-time shot in the box that hits side netting. She ran onto a loose ball in the box but couldn't get it on target.

54th min.: Chance England. Chloe Kelly cuts in from the left and tries the curler to the far post, but she misses well wide. England are consistently dangerous when they're running at the USA.

48th min.: Yellow card to USA's Trinity Rodman. It was a late tackle on England left-back Rachel Daly.

46th min.: Second half is underway. No subs.

Halftime: England 2, USA 1

Halftime: Entertaining half at Wembley. England are dangerous when they push forward with numbers at speed, but they're shaky at the back and that means the USWNT are still in this game.

VAR came into play twice during the first half, first on the England penalty and then on the Trinity Rodman goal, which unlike the penalty (high boot to the face) did not appear to be a clear and obvious error.

Among the best performers of the opening 45: England midfielder Georgia Stanway and forwards Lauren Hemp and Beth Mead. For the USA, Sophia Smith is the star of the show. She's making things happen on her own, while Naomi Girma is showing she belongs in defense. The USWNT midfield is being bypassed right now and not having as much of an influence as their English counterparts.

45th min.: Yellow card to England. Millie Bright gets it for hacking down Sophia Smith, who's been exceptional in this first half in the center forward role.

44th min.: Here's another look at the offside. Sophia Smith is the runner in the middle. She looks level though the angle on the still frame is not ideal:

37th min.: USA goal disallowed for offside! It's a beautiful team goal as Sophia Smith's cross is flicked by Megan Rapinoe to Trinity Rodman who scored. But VAR says there was an offside on the play. If there was an offside infraction, it was barely visible.

Watch in USA:

Watch in England:

33rd min.: Penalty goal England! Hailie Mace with the high boot on England's Lucy Bronze in the box and VAR flagged it. The referee awards the spot kick and Georgia Stanway converts for the Lionesses.

Watch in USA:

Watch in UK:

28th min.: Goal USA! Lindsey Horan strips Georgia Stanway of the ball just outside her box and pokes the ball to Sophia Smith, who knows exactly what to do when she gets it. Inside the left post and it's 1-1. The high pressure by the USA produced results.

Watch in USA:

Watch in the UK:

23rd min.: SUB USA. While England's Lauren Hemp was able to continue playing earlier, the USA's Emily Fox is not well enough to resume. Hailie Mace comes off the bench to take over left-back duties.

21st min.: And another stoppage after Georgia Stanway rams into USWNT left back Emily Fox. Not a ton of rhythm to this game.

When England wins the ball, they go vertical fast. The USWNT is creating havoc in the England box when they get there. Goalkeeper Mary Earps is looking shaky.<;p>

15th min.: Stoppage. The goal scorer Hemp takes the brunt of a Megan Rapinoe free kick in the neck/face area. She needs treatment.

10th min.: Goal England! Beth Mead with the run down the right and her cross finds Lauren Hemp after a failed clearance attempt by U.S. defender Alana Cook. The ball was left for Hemp to slot home.

Watch in USA:

Watch in the UK:

5th min.: England shot. Beth Mead with a shot on goal. That chance was created by a run through the middle by Georgia Stanway. U.S. 'keeper Alyssa Naeher is comfortable on the stop.

2nd min.: USA chance. Sophia Smith takes a run down the left on a quick restart and she has a wide open shot, but it's right at the goalkeeper Mary Earps.

1st min.: Players take a knee before kickoff, and we're off.

1 min from kickoff: Players from both teams joining together holding a banner that reads "Protect the Players."

5 mins from kickoff: The starters are walking out to the field under this. Anthems begin with the visiting Americans.

10 mins from kickoff: The England perspective on the match: The two best teams in the world going at it.

15 mins from kickoff: Megan Rapinoe pregame talk in the tunnel because apparently it's pouring in London.

20 mins from kickoff: Confirmation that Wembley Stadium will be sold out for tonight's match:

75 mins from kickoff: Both England and the USA will wear the same colored armbands as a show of solidarity in the wake of the investigation report released on abuse in the NWSL.

MORE: A full rundown of the Yates Report detailing years of abuse in the NWSL

England vs USWNT lineups

Injuries to center-back and captain Leah Williamson, Alessia Russo, and Lucy Parker have forced England manager Sarina Wiegman into some lineup shuffling. Alex Greenwood, a natural left-back partners with replacement captain Millie Bright in central defense, with Rachel Daly filling in on the left.

With Ellen White now retired and Euros star Russo out injured, the forward line features England Women's Player of the Year Beth Mead, with Lauren Hemp, Fran Kirby, and Chloe Kelly in support.

England starting lineup (4-2-3-1, right to left): 1-Mary Earps (GK) — 2-Lucy Bronze, 5-Millie Bright (capt.), 6-Alex Greenwood, 3-Rachel Daly — 8-Georgia Stanway, 4-Kiera Walsh — 7-Beth Mead, 10-Fran Kirby, 11-Chloe Kelly — 9-Lauren Hemp.

England subs (12): 12-Esme Moran, 13-Ellie Roebuck, 14-Katie Zelem, 15-Lotte Wubben-Moy, 16-Jess Carter, 17-Nikita Parris, 18-Ella Toone, 19-Jess Park, 20-Demi Stokes, 21-Sandy Maciver, 22-Lauren James, 23-Ebony Salmon 

The USWNT's attack is without starting center forward Alex Morgan (knee injury) and starting winger Mallory Pugh (family commitment). Usual USWNT winger Sophia Smith will line up at center forward, flanked by Trinity Rodman and Megan Rapinoe. Andonovski gives 22-year-old rising star center-back Naomi Girma a start on the big stage of Wembley Stadium.

USA starting lineup (4-3-3, right to left): 1-Alyssa Naeher (GK) — 8-Sofia Huerta, 3-Alana Cook, 12-Naomi Girma, 17-Emily Fox — 16-Rose Lavelle, 17-Andi Sullivan, 10-Lindsey Horan — 6-Trinity Rodman, 11-Sophia Smith, 15-Megan Rapinoe.

USA subs (12): 2-Ashley Sanchez, 4-Becky Sauerbrunn, 5-Hailie Mace, 7-Ashley Hatch, 13-Alyssa Thompson, 14-Sam Coffey, 18-Casey Murphy, 19-Crystal Dunn, 20-Jaelin Howell, 21-Aubrey Kingsbury, 22-Kristie Mewis, 25-Savannah DeMelo

DECOURCY: USA's unique chance to deal English football a double blow

England vs. USWNT TV channel, live stream

  UK USA
Date Fri, Oct. 7 Fri, Oct. 7
Time 20:00 BST 15:00 ET
TV channel ITV 1 Fox
Streaming ITV Hub, STV Player fuboTV, Fox Sports site/app

Friday's showcase friendly between the USA and England women's national teams will kick off at 8 p.m. local time at Wembley Stadium in London, England.

UK: The match can be seen on ITV 1, with streaming available on the ITV Hub as well as on STV Player.

USA: The match will be available to watch on Fox network, which is streamed on fuboTV in addition to the Fox Sports app and site.

JP Dellacamera and former USWNT star Aly Wagner are on the call. Jacqui Oatley makes her Fox debut as sideline reporter, while Dr. Joe Machnik will serve as rules analyst.

Simon Borg

Simon Borg Photo

Simon Borg is a senior editor at The Sporting News who has covered football/soccer for over a decade. A supporter of Italian club Parma Calcio from his years growing up in Europe, he was previously a long-time member of Major League Soccer's digital media team, as a multimedia content producer, on-air personality, and Editor-in-Chief. Based in New York City, Borg is multilingual and has covered the domestic and global scene for TSN since 2021.