USWNT coach - Proud of players for even being on field vs. England after 'extremely difficult week'

LONDON — United States women's national coach Vlatko Andonovski said he was proud of his players for «even being on the field» after they lost 2-1 to England at Wembley Stadium on Friday, just days after the release of a report detailing systemic abuse in women's soccer in the U.S.

The independent investigative report from Sally Yates released on Monday, detailed systemic abuse within the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL) and that league officials and governing body U.S. Soccer failed to adequately protect players.

Given that buildup, Andonovski was full of praise for the mentality of his roster.

«Obviously, it's been an extremely difficult week for everybody and I'm proud of the players for even being on the field and playing the game,» he said. «It wasn't easy.

»For some of them who were in the environment to see and experience everything they went through, I applaud their bravery and I applaud their fearless mentality and relentlessness. Once again, they showed that nothing can stop them playing the game that they love. I'm very proud of them and hoping we never have to go through that again."

The U.S. was beaten by first-half goals from England's Lauren Hemp and Georgia Stanway in front of a sellout crowd of almost 77,000 at Wembley. Sophia Smith scored for the U.S., which was also controversially denied a second goal when the video assistant referee ruled there had been an offside in the buildup.

But the game was about far more than the events on the field.

Players from England and the USWNT came together before kickoff to unveil a banner showing their support for victims of sexual abuse.

The players held a banner saying «Protect The Players» in the center circle, while Wembley's arch above the stadium was lit