Catalina Macario netted two goals as the United States triumphed over Italy with a 3-0 victory in a friendly match at Inter&Co Stadium on Saturday night. This marks the first of two friendlies between the teams, with the next one set for December 1st in Fort Lauderdale.
Olivia Moultrie also contributed a goal, while goalkeeper Claudia Dickie earned a clean sheet in just her fifth senior match. Veteran Rose Lovell, who earned her 116th cap, expressed satisfaction with the team’s performance, stating, “We aimed to build on our previous camp’s success, focusing on strengthening our approach, and I believe we achieved that. Overall, the team played exceptionally well.”
The U.S. launched an offensive early, scoring within two minutes as Lilly Real assisted LaBelle, who then passed to Alyssa Thompson. Lovell found Moultrie, who successfully scored at the far post.
Moultrie highlighted the emphasis on starting strong, noting, “I had an excellent week of training, and I think that momentum translated into the early moments of the game.”
A 48th-minute offside decision negated a goal from Moultrie. However, in the 64th minute, Sam Coffey created an opportunity for Macario, who scored with a powerful shot to extend the lead.
Macario struck again in the 76th minute, finishing a pass from 18-year-old Lily Johannes with a shot from outside the box, marking her second goal of the night. This brings Macario’s total to 15 goals in 28 international appearances, with 18 goals in her last 14 matches for the U.S.
Expressing her joy after the match, Macario stated, “It was a great win. I’m always happy to be part of this team, and the environment helps me grow.” She also acknowledged the guidance of U.S. coach Emma Hayes, indicating her focus on achieving consistency and rhythm in her game.
Fan Take: This victory is crucial for soccer fans, as it showcases the U.S. women’s national team’s depth and talent ahead of upcoming competitions. The momentum generated from strong performances like these is essential for building confidence and chemistry within the squad as they prepare for future tournaments.
