By OkayGoal 
England is currently the team of the moment with an incredible run to win back-to-back European Championships. This group will go down as their Golden Generation, the best set of players they’ve ever produced, and they’ve surely got their eyes on winning the next World Cup.
One of the teams that is undoubtedly going to stand in their way is the USWNT, which is in a bit of a different phase with its roster. While England boasts experienced players across their current roster, the USWNT has been giving numerous players opportunities regardless of age to see who will make the best roster for the next World Cup. This matchup would be incredibly close, but let’s take a closer look and see who might have the edge. Let’s see who has the better roster in a theoretical matchup of the USWNT vs. England.
Goalkeepeers
England: Hannah Hampton, Khiara Keating, Anna Moorhouse
USWNT: Angelina Anderson (Angel City FC; 0), Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 0), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 3)
We have to start with the goalkeepers, and this is one of the few areas where both countries had to deal with the same problem. Both of their No. 1 keepers have moved on from their national teams for different reasons. Alyssa Naeher retired, and Mary Earps wasn’t included in England’s roster for the Euro.
For the Brits, Hannah Hampton saved them on multiple occasions, proving how vital she is for the team. The USWNT has given multiple goalkeepers a chance over their last few friendlies. Hannah Hampton is a great keeper, but the likes of Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Mandy McGlynn, Angelina Anderson, and Claudia Dickey are just a few names. The USWNT has even more goalkeepers they could give a chance to if they wanted. The only thing is that Hampton’s big game experience is very valuable for England.
Since we’re talking about the overall roster, the goalkeeping edge goes to the USWNT.
Defenders
England: Lucy Bronze, Jess Carter, Niamh Charles, Alex Greenwood, Maya Le Tissier, Esme Morgan, Leah Williamson, Lotte Wubben-Moy
USWNT: Kerry Abello (Orlando Pride; 1/0), Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG; 46/2), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 0/0), Tara McKeown (Washington Spirit; 6/0), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 4/0), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current; 0/0), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 4/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 108/2), Gisele Thompson (Angel City FC; 3/0)
England’s defense made mistakes during the Women’s Euro, but their wealth of experience compared to the USWNT’s recent roster is far superior. If the USWNT had more of its usual suspects, then I would be far more confident in the American defenders. Naomi Girma and Emily Sonnett are as elite as it gets. If Emily Fox and Jenna Nighswonger were to return and join this group, I’d likely give the edge to the Americans.
However, every single one of England’s defenders is a key starter at the club level. Leah Williamson led the way perfectly, Jess Carter emerged from all the abuse to have significant success, and Lucy Bronze and Alex Greenwood seem to have more to give to the Three Lionesses. England currently has the edge in the defensive department.
Midfielders
England: Grace Clinton, Jess Park, Georgia Stanway, Ella Toone, Keira Walsh
USWNT: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit; 3/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 35/2), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 3/0), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 110/24), Sam Meza (Seattle Reign FC; 0/0), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 7/2)
England boasts top-heavy talent in the midfield, with Kiera Walsh, Ella Toone, and Georgia Stanway being phenomenal players, but the dropoff after that is significant. It’s a strong position for England, but they do not have the midfield depth that the USWNT has.
Sam Coffey has taken her game to another level, Rose Lavelle and Croix Bethune are coming back to full strength, Lily Yohannes is a special player, and Claire Hutton and Olivia Moultrie are young players making an impact already. England has plenty of midfield talent, but the USWNT’s depth is supreme, especially when you include the bigger names not listed, like Lindsay Heaps, etc.
Forwards
England: Michelle Agyemang, Aggie Beever-Jones, Lauren Hemp, Lauren James, Chloe Kelly, Beth Mead, Alessia Russo
USWNT: Lynn Biyendolo (Seattle Reign FC; 80/24), Michelle Cooper (Kansas City Current; 6/1), Yazmeen Ryan (Houston Dash; 9/0), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville; 5/1), Ally Sentnor (Utah Royals; 9/4), Alyssa Thompson (Angel City FC; 19/1)
The attacking players are where England shines, as this is the group that helped them the most throughout the tournament. Alessia Russo, Lauren Hemp, and Lauren James were excellent as starters, but it’s the subs that changed the game for England. What Chloe Kelly and Michelle Agyemang did off the bench is nothing short of incredible. Most subs come into the game and rarely make an impact, but Kelly and Agyemang did it time and time again. This dangerous duo has ruined tired legs of opposing defenses, and it’s hard to pick against them at the moment.
All of the USWNT’s strikers have played great against weaker teams, and they are looking great for club and country, but their skill doesn’t match what England has right now. If all of Triple Espresso were back and on the team to go with Alyssa Thompson and others, I think the answer would be clear, and it would be the USWNT, but based on the most recent roster, the attacking edge goes to England.
England boasts a superior defense and attack, but the USWNT holds the edge in goalkeeping and midfield. With Emma Hayes’ connection to England, let’s hope that the two nations can get together for a friendly match in the near future. It would be great to see where both of these nations stand on the world stage against each other.
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