USA vs. England, International Friendly: Final Score 3-0 as Three Lions Dominate

The United States Men’s National Team took on England at Wembley Stadium today in what was Wayne Rooney’s final game for his country. The U.S. didn’t put up much of a fight as the Yanks were soundly defeated 3-0.

The U.S. starting lineup was highlighted by the return of 20-year-old star Christian Pulisic who had been out of action due to injury. After taking part in the MLS playoffs for the New York Red Bulls, Tyler Adams began on the bench, though he did make an appearance in the second half.

This game was pretty much all England from the opening kickoff, especially in the first half. England’s first chance of the game came within the first minute with a cross that traveled right through the box, but was fortunately untouched by the Three Lions.

The first goal of the game came in the 25^th minute when a Pulisic turnover provided a chance for the English. Dele Alli carried the ball into the box before playing it off for Jesse Lingard who curled the ball around Brad Guzan.

Just two minutes later, Jadon Sancho laid the ball off for Trent Alexander-Arnold who made a run to the right of goal. The midfielder’s first touch was a hard, low strike that rolled beyond the outstretched hand of Guzan and doubled the lead of the hosts.

The final goal of the game came in the 77^th minute from the foot of debutant Callum Wilson. As Fabian Delph’s cross curled into the box, Wilson beat John Brooks to the near post and his first touch played the ball past Guzan making it 3-0 on the night.

To say the U.S. was outplayed in the first half would be a tremendous understatement. The Americans did have two shots on goal, one by Christian Pulisic in the 24^th minute and the other by Julian Green in the 37^th minute, but both were directly at Jordan Pickford and didn’t cause much trouble for the English goalkeeper. The U.S. spent most of the first half chasing as the English continued to break through the back line and force Guzan into saves.

Dave Sarachan changed the shape of the U.S. in the second half, allowing Pulisic to move forward and it made a difference. With their talisman playing in his more natural attacking role, the Yanks saw their most possession of the game and began to create chances.

They nearly broke through in the 66^th minute when Tim Weah won a corner for the Yanks. Tyler Adams began the play with a short corner to Pulisic who quickly sent the ball into the box. Catching the English defense unaware, Bobby Wood attacked the ball, sending it just over the crossbar. It would be the closest the U.S. would come to scoring all day.

In the end, it was nothing short of a dominant performance at home by the English. While the Americans did see more possession in the first half, the hosts still possessed the ball for 61 percent of the game. They outshot the U.S. 15 to 10 and had seven shots on goal compared to only two for the U.S.

If there was a positive for the U.S. on this day, it’s that fans finally got to see the trio of Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie on the field at the same time for the first time. It was only for about 15 minutes as Adams came on in the 62^nd minute and McKennie departed in the 76^th minute, but it was something U.S. fans have been waiting to see.

For the English, it was a day to celebrate the international career of Wayne Rooney. The country’s all-time leading scorer with 53 career goals also finished his career with 120 caps, more than any other outfield player. The D.C. United star finished his international career trailing only Peter Shilton, England’s all-time appearance leader, by five appearances.

The U.S. Men’s National Team will now travel to Genk, Belgium where it will take on Italy in its final game of 2018. That game is scheduled to be played on Tuesday at 2:45 p.m.