Report: England WU23s 2-4 USA

England women’s under-23s fell to a 4-2 defeat against the United States of America on Monday evening in their final match of 2025, where missed chances proved costly for the Young Lionesses.

As hosts, England came into the match hoping to extend their winning streak against their opponents, on a wet and windy evening in Accrington.

But the game didn’t unfold as Emma Coates and her Young Lionesses had hoped, with the American side proving just one step ahead in an entertaining and hard-fought clash.

Ultimately, the visitors’ clinical ability in front of goal proved the difference between the two sides and it was the Americans who had the best start, breaking the deadlock only two minutes into the first half following a close-range finish from Emeri Adames.

The Young Lionesses responded well to the early setback though, taking control of the game and creating numerous chances from there.

Coates’ team showed their quality through some brilliant attacking play, both down the flanks and through the middle, although they couldn’t find an equaliser.

With around 15 minutes remaining in the half, the game became more transitional, which suited the Americans.

And the visitors turned up the pace after a throw-in in their half before a slick transition around the area resulted in Maddy Dahlien being found outside the box, and there was nothing Faye Kirby could’ve done to save the shot as it looped into the far corner.

The Young Lionesses went into half time 2-0 down, a harsh scoreline on reflection of the play after controlling most of the half, but England started the second half exactly how they played for most of the first, in control.

Jess Simpson, who grew up just down the road from Accrington in Clitheroe, stood over a free kick in the 53rd minute. She delivered the ball into the area, which sailed through all the players in the box and into the back of Neeku Purcell’s goal to give England a lifeline.

Kirby then followed Simpson’s goal with a brilliant save to stop the Americans from re-establishing their two-goal lead, and the Young Lionesses looked to be back in the game with momentum on their side.

But the momentum lasted for mere minutes though, as the visitors restored their two-goal lead when goalscorer Dahlien became the assister for Sarah Weber’s goal.

Coates’ team continued to show their resilience, and again reduced the deficit through a brilliant goal from Keira Barry, as her effort found its way into the net.

But again the USA edged their lead over the Young Lionesses further, as Ally Sentnor restored the visitors’ two-goal cushion with under 20 minutes remaining to secure their victory.

England: 1 Faye Kirby (Liverpool), 2 Evie Rabjohn (Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United), 3 Jess Simpson (Southampton, on loan from Manchester United), 4 Ruby Mace (Everton) (c), 5 Gracie Prior (Manchester City), 6 Teyah Goldie (London City Lionesses), 7 Keira Barry (Sunderland, on loan from Manchester United), 8 Lexi Potter (Chelsea), 9 Isobel Goodwin (London City Lionesses), 10 Olivia McLoughlin (Leicester City), 11 Mia Enderby (Liverpool)

Substitutions: 15 Erica Meg Parkinson (Valadares Gaia) for McLoughlin 56’, 19 Mari Ward (Bristol City) for Rabjohn 78, 20 Chloe Sarwie (Chelsea) for Enderby 78’, 17 Lexi Lloyd-Smith (Bristol City) for Goodwin 85’

Substitutions not used: 12 Sarah Brasero (West Ham), 13 Katie Cox (Aberdeen, on loan from Chelsea), 14 Lenna Gunning-Williams (Tottenham Hotspur), 16 Hannah Silcock (Liverpool), 18 Cerys Brown (London City Lionesses), 22 Natalia Negri (Ipswich Town)

Goals: Simpson 53’ Barry 61’

Head coach: Emma Coates