England vice-captain Jordan Nobbs is licking her lips at the prospect of facing World Cup winners USA in the early hours of Friday morning (12.45am GMT).
The 23-year-old is a part of the England squad who are in Tampa, Florida preparing to take on the top three teams in the world in the inaugural SheBelieves Cup.
First up is Jill Ellis’s fearsome outfit, who have lost just one home match in 12 years.
USA v England
The SheBelieves Cup
12.45am GMT, Friday 4 March
Raymond James Stadium, Tampa
Live on BBC One
Nobbs said: “We want to be playing the best teams in the world and there's no better stage than playing the US on their home soil.
“We want to be feeling that pressure. We want the big crowds and we want to be competing and winning. It's the perfect scenario for us.”
USA last met Mark Sampson’s Lionesses in Milton Keynes last February when an Alex Morgan goal gave the visitors a hard-fought 1-0 win.
That victory sparked a 24-game unbeaten streak which included the run to the World Cup crown.
But Nobbs reckons England, buoyed by their bronze medal at Canada 2015, are ready to match the USA’s unwavering desire to win every match.
She said: “Everyone's always spoken about the US mentality and how they're driven winners, and I think that now we're starting to get that, that's why we're competing with these teams.
“Mark's driven that into us, that we can truly believe we're here for a reason and we're here to win tournaments. It's an exciting time for us to show what we can do.
“The English mentality in the past wasn't there, or wasn't good enough, and now we really do believe we can be the best in the world and competing against the best in the world.
“It's the only way you become a better player, by playing against the best.”
England’s next home match will be their UEFA Women’s Euro 2017 qualifier against Belgium on Friday 8 April (7.55pm KO).
Tickets for the game, which will take place at Rotherham United’s AESSEAL New York Stadium, are on sale now priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for children. A family ticket (two adults and two children) is available at £10 and group booking discounts apply.
Tickets can be bought via TheFA.com/Tickets, by calling 08444 140 754 or in person at the Rotherham United ticket office.
