Catarina Macario scores brace in 3-0 friendly win over Italy – Equalizer Soccer

Photo Credit: Morgan Tencza-Imagn Images

Catarina Macario scored twice and Olivia Moultrie scored early as the United States defeated Italy 3-0 Friday night in Orlando at Inter&Co Stadium. The two teams will play the second friendly, and their final international game of 2025, on Monday in Fort Lauderdale.

U.S. women’s national team head coach Emma Hayes wanted her team to get going early, and for the fourth game in a row, her team scored in the opening 10 minutes. Moultrie scored her fifth international goal in just her 11th cap on the assist from newly-minted NWSL Champion Rose Lavelle just 67 seconds into the game.

Although the U.S. continued to dominate the first half with 69% of possession, the score remained tight.

The U.S. finally cushioned their lead in the 64th minute when Sam Coffey played in Macario, who was able to control the ball, set herself up, and finish past Italy’s goalkeeper. Macario didn’t wait long to secure her brace, scoring her second of the night 12 minutes later by precisely picking out the far bottom corner from just inside the 18-yard box. The assist came from 18-year-old Lily Yohannes moments after she entered the match as a substitute.

The second brace in back-to-back games brought Macario to a team-leading seven goals in 2025, and her personal international total to 15 goals in 28 appearances.

The game also marked the return of defender Naomi Girma, who was away from international play for 149 days dealing with injury. Girma got the start for her 49th cap and the captain’s armband for the fourth time in her career.

As has been a prominent feature of Hayes’ time as coach, the game also featured two international debuts. In the closing minutes of the second half, Chicago Stars forward Jameese Joseph and Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner debuted. Joseph and Wiesner were the 26th and 27th players to make their first senior appearance under Hayes in her 29th match as head coach.