England vs. USWNT final score: Sophia Smith scores lone goal for USA in loss to Lionesses at Wembley Stadium

The United States, the reigning 2019 FIFA World Cup champions, fell to England, the the 2022 Euro champions, 2-1, on Friday in front of a record-setting crowd of 75,000 in attendance at Wembley Stadium in London. England opened the scoring account early with a goal by Lauren Hemp in the 10th minute and Portland Thorns forward Sophia Smith nabbed the equalizer and lone goal for the USWNT in the 28th minute. Georgia Stanway made sure the equalizer was short-lived and provided the game-winner, a converted penalty in the 33rd minute to seal the win in a battle of 2023 World Cup heavyweights.

A loss with promising lessons

When the USWNT announced plans for a pair of games in Europe, it was met with great anticipation as head coach Vlatko Andonovski continued to evaluate a consistent pool of players with an eye on the 2023 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. But the anticipation for these two heavyweights meeting soured a but when on Monday U.S. Soccer released the full findings of a commissioned investigation by Sally Q. Yates into allegations of past abusive behavior and sexual misconduct in women’s professional soccer. The full report provided details of sexual misconduct and abuse throughout the National Women’s Soccer League and U.S. youth soccer. 

Andonovski told the media that players were allowed to process the news as they desired, which included excused participation in training, team activities or even playing matches. Despite the heavy atmosphere in the lead-up to the match, both national teams expressed a moment of solidarity by wearing teal armbands to support violence and sexual abuse survivors.

The narrow loss provided some promising lessons for Andonovski and the team moving forward: Primarily that many of the younger players who have been involved with the senior-level team can handle big moments. An early goal conceded didn’t rattle them. In fact, it woke them up a bit as NWSL rookie standout Naomi Girma provided crucial support on the backline at the center back position. 

Trinity Rodman was tabbed in the starting XI and provided as much in defensive scenarios as she generated in the attack. She came real close to finding the equalizer for the USWNT before VAR overturned the goal due to offsides. 

Sophia Smith needs no more tests

The 21-year-old Smith is having a massive season for club and country, but has been considered by some pundits as untested among the forward core for USWNT. Smith has provided 14 goals for the Portland Thorns this season and scored her 10th international goal in 2022 for the USWNT against the Lionesses.

“She seemed like she made a name for herself. But we can’t forget she’s 21 years old,” Andovnoski told media after the game. 

“To come in an environment like this, and to be a difference maker, score a goal — and I told her she had another incredible assist for another goal that was called back — it just shows the potential that she has. I think that we haven’t seen the best of her [yet]. These are games that will expedite Soph’s development, and I’m excited to see what she’s going to look like six months from, now nine months from now.”

What’s next

The team will now travel to Pamplona where they are scheduled to face the Spanish women’s national team on Tuesday. Kickoff at El Sadar Stadium, home of Osasuna, is set for 2:30 p.m. ET — stream on fuboTV (Try for free).