Powell set for test against the best
Saturday, 02 April, 2011
National Coach fully prepared for USA, the world's No.1 ranked side.
England v USA
A Women’s International Match
8.10pm, Saturday 2 April 2011
Matchroom Stadium, Leyton Orient FC
Live on FATV
Tickets are priced £5 for adults and £2.50 for concessions
by Glenn Lavery
England Women’s National Coach Hope Powell says she relishing the prospect of facing the number one ranked side in the women’s game.
Powell takes her charges to Matchroom Stadium, home of Leyton Orient, later this evening for a tantalising encounter with USA and she believes it will provide a good marker as to the progress England have made since 2007, when the Americans knocked them out of the World Cup.
“This is a game we’ve all been looking forward to for some time now, and I think USA will feel the same,” she began. “We expect it to be a very challenging game, which is exactly what we need at this stage of our preparations for this summer’s World Cup.
“They were quite keen to play us which is pleasing because it proves we are worthy opponents. The last time we played them was in 2007 and it will be good to see how far we have come since then, against top-quality opposition.
“People may point to the fact that USA had difficulty in qualifying [for the World Cup] but undoubtedly they are still a force to be reckoned with and I am sure will be more determined than ever to do well this summer.”
A number of Powell’s squad either have enjoyed or still are enjoying playing their club football in the American Women’s Professional Soccer League and she believes this has helped to remove any feelings of trepidation about facing the two-time world champions.
“The girls that have played in America are now quite relaxed about the prospect of coming up against them, rather than being tense and nervous about it, like they probably were four years ago,” Powell admitted.
“We know a lot more about them and I believe that the American girls now have a bit more respect for England and our players, having played with and against them.
“It should be a very interesting contest.”