Catalina Macario scored twice as the United States secured a 3-0 victory over Italy in a friendly match at Orlando’s Inter&Co Stadium on Friday evening.
This marked the first of two friendly matches between the teams, with the second set for Monday in Fort Lauderdale.
Olivia Moultrie also netted a goal, while goalkeeper Claudia Dickie achieved a clean sheet in just her fifth senior appearance.
“We aimed to build on our last performance and focused on strengthening our play while adhering to our principles, and I think we accomplished that,” said U.S. veteran Rose Lavelle, who earned her 116th cap. “Overall, the team played exceptionally well.”
The Americans quickly pressured Italian goalkeeper Laura Giuliani, scoring within the first two minutes.
Lilly Real, fresh off winning the NWSL title with Gotham, initiated the play by passing to LaBelle, who then went wide before Alyssa Thompson quickly sent the ball back. Lavelle found Moultrie, who scored with a shot into the far corner of the net—her second goal in just her second game.
“We discussed the importance of starting strong, and I believe we executed that,” Moultrie stated. “I trained really well this week, and that energy carried into the opening minutes of the match.”
Lavelle had a goal ruled out for offside in the 48th minute, with Moultrie’s second goal also disallowed.
In the 64th minute, Sam Coffey dribbled through the middle, setting up Macario, who broke in on the left. After receiving the pass, Macario launched a shot into the far corner, extending the U.S. lead to two goals.
Macario capped off her performance with a second goal in the 76th minute, scoring from the edge of the box with a shot that found the back of the net. This brought her total to 15 goals in 28 international matches, as well as contributing 18 goals in her last 14 outings for the U.S.
“It was a fantastic win. It’s always enjoyable to be part of this team,” Macario expressed. “I’m grateful to be in this environment; it helps me become the best version of myself.”
“Thankfully, (U.S. coach) Emma (Hayes) understands my strengths and what I can bring to the table. It’s been a solid year for me; I’m just trying to maintain consistency and find my rhythm.”
Editorial Opinion: This victory not only boosts the team’s morale but also showcases the rising talent within the squad, which is crucial for the U.S. as they prepare for future international competitions. For soccer fans, this kind of performance hints at a promising future for the national team, making the journey to success all the more exciting to watch.
