A preview of the Women’s World Cup Semifinal from an English and American Perspective

Today is the first Women’s World Cup Semifinal. USA and England will square off for a chance to play for the Women’s World Cup Title!

USA vs England: Previews from an
Englishman and an American

This match could be one for the history books; two strong sides are meeting for the chance to play for a title! While we here at Philly Sports Network try to drive content on USA’s national teams, including the amazing US Women’s National Team, we also love to bring different perspectives around the world of sports to light.

Luckily enough, our Founder, Liam Jenkins is English, and our Soccer Editor, Tim Lovenguth, is American. We asked the two of them to share their thoughts on this semifinal and share a preview of the match from their perspectives. Enjoy!

An English Perspective from Liam Jenkins

England have reached two consecutive World Cup semi finals now and after a 3-0 win over Norway, hopes are high. But just like ‘Three Lions’ told us, we’ve seen it all before.

The England mens team were left heartbroken in a World Cup Semi Final that shattered the nations hearts last summer and I’m hoping for my own sanity, that doesn’t happen again.

You have to respect the USA. How can you not? They’re the best team in the world and their record speaks for itself. But this match comes down to a battle between the elite: Lucy Bronze and Megan Rapinoe. Keeping Rapinoe from adding to her goal tally of 5 will be no easy task, but it’s a battle Bronze simply has to win. On the other end of the pitch, Ellen White has tallied just as many for England.

In games like this, odds can often be thrown out of the window. The USA are favorites, of course, but complacency is a curse and such a stunning run including that historic opener may, just may, see fleeting moments of it being to creep in. At least…that’s all I have to go on right now. If that doesn’t happen, I don’t think I’ll be able to watch with both eyes open.

This match could truly go either way, but I wouldn’t be English if I didn’t hopelessly believe fully in the Lionesses and their drive to upset the Apple Cart once again.

Football’s coming home.

An American Perspective from Tim Lovenguth

This is exactly the place the USA wanted to be in before the start of this World Cup. They blew everyone away in the group stage, then suffered some scares from Spain and France but came out the other side! Now come England, right before the Fourth of July in the semifinals; cue the fireworks.

The US Women should be making everyone in America forget about the issues surrounding the mens team, and bring up the fact that this amazingly successful team is treated as second-class. This issue sets the stage for what could be a triumphant moment, should the team not overestimate a rising England side!

England have been one of my favorite teams to watch this tournament. Seeing them take on an underdog mentality, play a strong possession-with-a-purpose style, and dismantle teams makes them a scary opponent. For me, they have become a World Power in this tournament, who will have something to say about who wins this, and many future World Cups

For me, England are a scarier team than France, who many thought would give the US problems. The Three Lions present a match-up nightmare on USA’s left side. USA’s converted left back Crystal Dunn will have her hands full with Nikita Parris and Lucy Bronze bombing down that flank.

This match has me feeling anxious, just as the quarterfinal with France did. The US were victorious over the hosts, and have only lost one match over the last two years. This game is a toss up, and will depend on the USWNT’s strength and possession play; as well as, their ability to hold England’s counters to a minimum.

This Semifinal will be massive, but hopefully, the US can score early as they did vs France to put all the nerves on England.