USWNT coach Jill Ellis is one proud Yankee doodle dandy

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 28: Jill Ellis, Head Coach of USA gives her team instructions during the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup France Quarter Final match between France and USA at Parc des Princes on June 28, 2019 in Paris, France. (Photo by Naomi Baker - FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images) /

U.S. coach Jill Ellis may have been born in England, but her allegiance is to her adopted country ahead of the team’s semifinal clash.

USWNT manager Jill Ellis may have been born and raised in England, but there’s no doubt she’s an American now.

“I’ve got US citizenship, brother,” she replied when a reporter asked her on Monday whether she was conflicted ahead of the U.S.-England semifinal in Lyon, France, at the Women’s World Cup.

“She is 100 percent American,” added Alex Morgan, who was sitting next to her at the news conference held at the Stade de Lyon.

The 52-year-old Ellis moved to the United States at age 15, never really having a chance to play soccer in her native country since few valued the women’s game.

Ellis played soccer in high school and went on to coach at the NCAA level as an assistant coach throughout the 1990s and as a head coach at Illinois and UCLA.

She officially became U.S. national team coach in May 2014 and managed the team to the World Cup title four years ago in Canada.

Ellis, who grew up in Portsmouth in England a big Manchester United fan, is trying to become the first manager in USWNT history to win back-to-back Women’s World Cups. The team is currently two wins away from doing that in France, following impressive knockout-round victories against Spain and the highly-anticipated quarterfinal versus France.

For Ellis, the France game marked her 100th win as U.S. coach. The milestone puts her among a select category of great USWNT managers since the team won their first World Cup in 1991.

Whether Ellis has been too cautious or adventurous at this World Cup depends on whether the Americans can lift the trophy following Sunday’s final. The France game proved that Ellis has done a wonderful job negotiating the lineup and injuries throughout this tournament.

The “spygate” incident with England manager Phil Neville the last few days also highlighted her toughness in the face of gamesmanship.

Next. USWNT vs. England semifinals live stream. dark

Is there ever a time when Ellis is not American?

“I’m an American, except when I’m in the supermarket or at the candy store,” she joked.