Saturday’s friendly between the England Lionesses and the US Women’s National Team (USWNT) is much anticipated for a number of reasons, but it holds extra significance for Emma Hayes . The 48-year-old was named as USA head coach in 2023 and began working in the role in May this year. The upcoming match at Wembley Stadium sees her return to her home city, where she made history in English soccer with west London side Chelsea.
As a born-and-bred Londoner leading an American team, where do her loyalties lie when the national anthems play ahead of the game? “I think it will be tricky when the national anthem plays,” Hayes told CNN Sport ’s Amanda Davies. “I’m English, but I respect that I work for USA, and I think I would say that I will joyfully hum along to both of them and respect that both national anthems mean a lot to me.” How to watch England vs USWNT The match is set to kick off at 5:20 p.
m. in London (12:20 p.m.
ET) on Saturday. Viewers in the US can keep up with all the action on TNT Sports. ‘I’ve always wanted to create these situations’ Hayes started her coaching career in New York before serving as an assistant coach at Arsenal and a stint in charge of the National Women’s Soccer League’s Chicago Red Stars.
She was appointed as Chelsea manager in 2012 and went on to dominate the Women’s Super League (WSL) – the highest level of the women’s game in England – over the next 12 years. Under Hayes, Chelsea won a record seven league titles.
