The U.S. women’s national soccer team enjoyed a successful post-Thanksgiving match on Friday, overcoming Italy with a 3-0 victory, thanks to goals from Olivia Moultrie and Catalina Macario. Moultrie netted her goal just two minutes into the game, while Macario added her contributions in the 64th and 76th minutes, leading to a commanding result.
The Stars and Stripes quickly seized control, with Moultrie’s early goal effectively cutting off Italy’s offensive efforts with a well-placed shot to the right side of the net.
“We emphasized starting strong, and that energy carried us through,” Moultrie shared during halftime, reflecting on the goal. After training intensely over the weekend, she felt that positive momentum showed right from the beginning.
At just 20 years old, Moultrie is on a roll, having made 28 appearances for Portland Thorns FC and scoring seven times in her last 15 games. Her goal against Italy marked her third for the USWNT this year and fifth in international play, although the team struggled to maintain the early tempo set by her goal.
By halftime, Italy had limited their shots to five, compared to America’s seven, with Chiara Beccari threatening the U.S. defense. The European side attempted to find their footing but were thwarted by strong defending from Naomi Girma, who effectively held them back.
Staying true to her strategic approach, manager Emma Hayes opted to allow the team to adapt before making further adjustments. This decision proved beneficial as midfielder Sam Coffey partnered with Macario to secure a definitive third goal.
Macario sealed the victory with her own goal in the 76th minute, further extending the lead to 3-0. This marked her second goal of the match and solidified her impressive scoring record, finishing 2025 with six goals in seven games.
The U.S. national team will round off their 2025 campaign with a final match against Italy on Monday.
Fan Take: The U.S. women’s team’s strong performance not only reinforces their prowess on the field but also serves as a rallying point for the growth of women’s soccer. As they continue to dominate, it highlights the increasing importance of support and investment in the sport, which could inspire a new generation of female players.
