Mon Dec 01 23:40:00 UTC 2025: U.S. Women’s National Team Dominates Italy in Friendly, Macario Nets Brace

ORLANDO, FL – The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) delivered a commanding performance Friday night, defeating Italy 3-0 in a friendly match at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium. Catarina Macario led the charge with two goals, while Olivia Moultrie added another, showcasing the team’s offensive firepower. Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey secured a clean sheet in her fifth senior appearance.

The USWNT came out firing, with Moultrie opening the scoring in the game’s opening minutes. Lilly Reale and Rose Lavelle combined to set up Alyssa Thompson, who assisted Moultrie. Macario then extended the lead with goals in the 64th and 76th minutes, the second assisted by teenager Lily Yohannes.

“It was a great win, it’s always a pleasure being with this team,” said Macario, who has now been involved in 18 goals in her last 14 U.S. appearances. “I feel so happy to be in this environment, and I feel like it really just helps you be the best version of yourself.”

U.S. veteran Rose Lavelle, who earned her 116th cap, echoed the positive sentiment, stating, “I think obviously we wanted to keep building on the performances we had last camp, and the emphasis on coming out strong and sticking to our principles, and I think that’s what we did… Overall, I think a really good team performance.”

Head coach Emma Hayes emphasized the importance of a strong start and a clean sheet. “Starting fast is one thing, but we’ve often started fast and conceded just as quickly. So, a clean sheet means as much to us this evening as the result and the performance,” Hayes said in the post-match presser.

Hayes also highlighted the team’s focus on the future, including the 2027 World Cup, and the importance of building experience across the squad. “We’re building towards something and we have to build cap accumulation across the squad,” Hayes explained, emphasizing her desire to create consistently successful teams.

However, Hayes stressed the immediate priority is qualifying for the World Cup. “All of our energy is in qualifying for the World Cup, that’s everything we are focused on.”

The USWNT will face Italy again on Monday in Fort Lauderdale for the second of their two-match friendly series. The game presents another opportunity for Hayes to experiment with player combinations and build towards the team’s World Cup qualification goals.

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