ORLANDO, FLORIDA – NOVEMBER 28: Catarina Macario #20 of the United States celebrates scoring during the second half against Italy during an international friendly at Inter&Co Stadium on November 28, 2025 in Orlando, Florida. (Photo by Brad Smith/ISI Photos/USSF/Getty Images)
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The USWNT registered its eighth win in nine games after forward Catarina Macario’s brace guided the team to a 3-0 victory over Italy in Friday’s friendly in Orlando.
The four-time world champions opened the two-match set against the Euro 2025 semifinalists at Inter&Co Stadium with an opening goal from attacking midfielder Olivia Moultrie in the second minute before Macario scored twice in the second half.
The 20-year-old Moultrie slotted the ball into the bottom right corner after latching on to a cross from Rose Lavelle in the box, following a quick move down the left channel.
The quickfire goal was Moultrie’s fifth for the USWNT in only 11 appearances, while Lavelle’s assist meant she has now recorded a goal contribution in five of her last six USWNT appearances.
While the USWNT dominated the first half, enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the Italians had a chance to equalize in the ninth minute from a corner-kick, but Elena Linari sent her shot over the crossbar.
Macario Magic
In the second half, after USWNT goalkeeper Claudia Dickey stopped Michela Cambiaghi’s left-footed strike, Macario doubled the hosts’ lead in the 64th minute, driving the ball towards the right post after a superb assist from Sam Coffey.
Coffey brilliantly carried the ball in midfield, slid a through pass for Macario at the edge of the box, as the Chelsea player finished in style.
Just 12 minutes later, Macario added another goal, bringing up her second brace in back-to-back matches.
Substitute Lily Yohannes played a lofted delivery over the Italian defense and picked out Macario just outside the box, before the Chelsea player curled her right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
The double strikes took Macario’s tally to seven goals, making her USWNT’s leading scorer this year. The victory meant the USWNT have a 10-3-0 record in 2025.
The USWNT will play its second friendly against Italy on Monday at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. ET and will be broadcast live on TBS, HBO Max and Peacock.
Source: https://www.forbes.com/sites/manasipathak-1/2025/11/29/macario-shines-as-uswnt-beat-italy-3-0-in-first-of-two-friendlies/
