Ella Toone has warned the USA they are coming to England's "favourite place" when they play at a sold-out Wembley next month.
The Lionesses will take on the world champions in a friendly after booking their place at next year's Women's World Cup on Saturday evening. Sarina Wiegman's side defeated Austria 2-0 in Wiener Neustadt to qualify for the tournament in Australia and New Zealand, just 34 days after winning the Euros at Wembley.
"We know how good the USA are and we want to compete against the best teams," said Toone. "I think now we have a target on our backs because we've won the Euros. So these games are really exciting and we can't wait to have all the fans back in the stadium again.
"It's another level [playing the USA]. They're a great team and it's always a tough game when we’ve played them previously. But it's exciting and obviously back at Wembley, our favourite place. I can't wait to have all the fans back in the stadium to support us."
Just 2,600 spectators were in attendance at the Stadion Wiener Neustadt due to the Austrian FA's decision to host the game at the small venue, made before the Euros got underway in July. Dozens of England supporters waited outside the ground after the game to congratulate the European champions on their latest success. There will be a lot more fans waiting for them outside Wembley in October.
"It’s got even crazier," insisted Toone on England’s support. "More people recognise you now walking down the street - which has been mad - but also amazing and we knew that it would have an impact [but] I don't think we knew how much of an impact it would have. This summer has been very different from previous ones."
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The Lionesses made a blistering start against Austria thanks to Alessia Russo's instincts in front of goal. The 23-year-old, who has succeeded the retired Ellen White as the team's primary centre-forward, converted a loose ball in the seventh minute.
Austria lost by just a goal in their previous two meetings with England and it showed, as they fought back after conceding. The hosts put plenty of pressure on the visiting defence but failed to hit the target with their four first-half attempts. Wiegman's side were also dominant in the air, which eased the strain.
England improved after the break and came close to scoring through Georgina Stanway, who forced Arsenal goalkeeper Manuela Zinsberger into a low save. A second goal was coming for the Lionesses and it was substitute Nikita Parris who delivered, firing convincingly past Zinsberger after a superb pass from Stanway.
After that, England's place in Australia and New Zealand was all but secure. Austria failed to respond, extending Wiegman's unbeaten run as Lionesses boss to 21 games. Yet the most important thing was World Cup qualification, giving Toone and her international teammates the chance to win the biggest prize of them all.
"That was the target - to qualify for the World Cup - and that's what we've done and we've done it really well," insisted Toone. "I don't think we've conceded a goal in the whole of the qualifying campaign. We're obviously really happy and delighted that we're now preparing for a World Cup."
The Lionesses will be back in action for their clubs this coming weekend when the new Women's Super League term gets underway. Emma Hayes' Chelsea are the defending champions and this season is expected to be the league's biggest ever following England’s triumphant Euros campaign.
"There wasn’t [much of a break] at all," said defender Alex Greenwood, who plays her club football for Manchester City. "I think the City girls had maybe five or six days off then it was straight back to it... To be honest it feels like we've just continued. It's fine, it is what is is, it's just football."
Greenwood has called on the game’s governing bodies to manage the players' workload - something the likes of Jurgen Klopp has noted in the past.
"It's vital, it's so important," added Greenwood. "Everything you do away from the pitch is so, so important at this stage and that goes for everyone as well. It's just the beginning, we haven't even started the season yet believe it or not. That part is so important and the older you get definitely the more you have to do that. I didn't think that a couple of years ago, but it catches up with you."
