Emma Hayes, the USA head coach, returned to Wembley for a goalless draw against England in a friendly match. Ahead of the game, there was speculation about which national anthem Hayes would sing, but she dismissed this as “ridiculous” and emphasized that she is proud to represent both England and the USA. She admitted to mouthing the English national anthem before the game, despite coaching the American team.
The match ended in a goalless draw in front of over 78,000 fans, with Hayes praising both teams for their performance. She acknowledged that it felt strange coaching against her own nation but maintained that she is proud of both countries and their national anthems. Despite the intense competition on the field, she emphasized that it is possible to have allegiance to multiple nations and to appreciate what each country means to her personally.
Hayes highlighted the tactical nature of the game and praised England’s coach, Sarina Wiegman, for her skills. While Hayes felt that her team could have done more with the opportunities they had, she believed that they were the better team overall. The match showcased the talent and competitiveness of both teams, with Hayes expressing pride in representing both England and the USA in the international football community.
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