Rapinoe has been at the heart of the USA’s success but even she feels there is “not really a huge gap” any more between themselves and the rest of Europe.
“These teams are so good. We saw it in the World Cup, the Euros, the Champions League. The level of football right now is just insane. We’re happy to be right in the mix at the top,” she added.
The USA will look to defend their crown at next summer’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand and Friday’s friendly will give both teams a taste of what could come in that tournament.
Their last meeting at a major tournament – the 2019 World Cup semi-final – was watched by a record television audience on the BBC.
A sold-out crowd of around 90,000 is expected at Wembley on Friday and USA coach Vlatko Andonovski said he was excited for his players to feel the atmosphere which he witnessed at Euro 2022.
“It’s going to be a good show. This is not an important game but it’s a good game. It’s a game that will make a statement in women’s sport,” said Andonovski.
It will be England’s first test against the USA since their 2-0 defeat at the SheBelieves Cup in 2020 and though both teams are missing key players through injury – Lionesses captain Leah Williamson and US striker Morgan are both injured – it will be another contest between two of women’s football’s fiercest rivals.
And though it might be advertised as a friendly, Rapinoe said it “means more than that”.
“There’s a reason we’re at Wembley, that there’s 90,000 people coming and these two particular teams have stretched way past the field and done something special,” she added.
“I feel this is a really special moment in women’s football. This is one of those special career moments that don’t come around often.”