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The USWNT recorded its eighth win in nine matches after forward Catarina Macario’s brace led the team to a 3-0 victory over Italy in Friday’s friendly in Orlando.
The four-time world champion opened the two matches against the Euro 2025 semi-finalists at the Inter&Co Stadium with an opening goal from attacking midfielder Olivia Moultrie in the second minute before Macario scored twice in the second half.
Twenty-year-old Moultrie slotted the ball into the bottom right corner after taking Rose Lavelle’s cross into the penalty area following a quick move down the left channel.
The quick-fire goal was Moultrie’s fifth for the USWNT in just eleven appearances, while Lavelle’s assist meant she has now recorded a goal contribution in five of her last six USWNT appearances.
With the USWNT dominating the first half and enjoying the lion’s share of possession, the Italians had a chance to equalize from a corner in the ninth minute, but Elena Linari fired 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 by driving the ball towards the right post after an excellent assist from Sam Coffey.
Coffey carried the ball brilliantly in midfield and delivered a through ball to Macario on the edge of the penalty area as the Chelsea player finished in style.
Just twelve minutes later, Macario added another goal, netting her second brace in back-to-back games.
Substitute Lily Yohannes played a high throw over the Italian defense and picked out Macario just outside the penalty area, before the Chelsea player curled her right-footed shot into the bottom left corner.
The double strikes took Macario’s total to seven goals, making her the USWNT’s top scorer this year. The win meant the USWNT had a 10-3-0 record by 2025.
The USWNT will play its second friendly against Italy on Monday at Chase Stadium in Ft. Lauderdale. Kickoff is at 7pm ET and will air live on TBS, HBO Max and Peacock.
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