Women's World Cup: Picking a Combined England & USA XI Ahead of Crunch Semi Final

02 July 2019 16:07

England and the United States go head to head in the first semi final of the 2019 Women's World Cup in Lyon on Tuesday night.

The winner of the crunch contest between the third and first placed teams in the FIFA World Rankings will return to the same venue on Sunday for the final and the chance to lift the trophy. For the loser it will be a trip to Nice to play for the consolation of a bronze medal.

With both squads filled with world class talent, here's what a hypothetical combined England and USA XI might look like...


GK - Karen Bardsley (England) - The American-born number one stopper has made a number of fine saves this tournament and gets the nod ahead of opposite number Alyssa Naeher.

Karen Bardsley


RB - Lucy Bronze (England) - Phil Neville is adamant that Lyon and England's right-back is the best player in the world. Her driving runs forward are so important for the Lionesses.

Lucy Bronze


CB - Abby Dahlkemper (USA) - The 26-year-old has emerged as a star at her debut World Cup and is the only United States defender to have started every game in a rotating back four.

Abby Dahlkemper


CB - Steph Houghton (England) - The England captain has made a number of key defensive interventions at this tournament and is the calming leader at the back.

Steph Houghton


LB - Crystal Dunn (USA) - Although typically a more attacking player at club level for North Carolina Courage, the left-sided star has established as an international calibre left-back.

Crystal Dunn


CM - Lindsey Horan (USA) - Nominated for BBC Women's Footballer of the Year in 2019 and has been one of the players that has most impressed USWNT legend Mia Hamm this summer.

Lindsey Horan,Kanjana Sung-Ngoen


CM - Sam Mewis (USA) - Another USA midfielder at her first World Cup, but another who hasn't looked out of place for a single minute. As classy and composed as they come.

FBL-WC-2019-WOMEN-MATCH35-SWE-USA


CM - Jill Scott (England) - The 32-year-old is at her fourth World Cup after debuting at the 2007 tournament and is probably enjoying her best one yet. Her tireless running is crucial.

FBL-WC-2019-WOMEN-MATCH39-ENG-CMR


RF - Tobin Heath (USA) - A player who has been there and done it all, but whose natural quality is occasionally overlooked in comparison to her more high profile colleagues.

Tobin Heath


CF - Ellen White (England) - A leading contender for the Golden Boot award after scoring five goals in four games. She gets more props than USWNT star Alex Morgan, who netted a record equalling five against a poor Thailand, but hasn't scored since.

FBL-WC-2019-WOMEN-MATCH31-JPN-ENG


LF - Megan Rapinoe (USA) - In the way that Carli Lloyd became the clutch player of the 2015 World Cup, Rapinoe has scored all four USA goals in the knockout stages so far.

Megan Rapinoe


Source: 90min