Emma Hayes praised Catarina Macario for her outstanding performance in the United States' 3-0 victory over Italy. This match was the first of two friendlies against the Azzurre. Olivia Moultrie scored
early, just two minutes into the game in Orlando, marking the fourth consecutive match where the USA scored within the first ten minutes.
Macario added to the scoreline with two goals in the second half. Her first was a low shot across goal into the right corner, followed by a precise finish to the opposite side. The 26-year-old has been directly involved in 17 goals during her last 14 appearances for the USA, dating back to February 2022. This includes 11 goals and six assists.
The Chelsea forward has achieved her best international goal tally this year, scoring seven times for her national team. Hayes signed Macario for Chelsea in June 2023 while she was recovering from an ACL injury. Hayes expressed her excitement about working with Macario again, stating, "She's a tremendous player. I signed her because I thought she was world-class. "
The USA have now secured victories in eight of their last nine matches, achieving their second consecutive shutout after defeating New Zealand 6-0 previously. Against Italy, they dominated with 18 shots worth 2.2 expected goals (xG), hitting the target 11 times. Defensively, they restricted Italy to just seven attempts, with only two challenging goalkeeper Claudia Dickey.
Hayes is already focusing on upcoming World Cup qualifiers starting at the end of 2026. She emphasised maintaining their winning momentum as crucial preparation. "All of our energy is on qualifying for the World Cup," she said. "We close out the year with one more game. every single minute matters. "
The @MichelobULTRA player of the match: Catarina Macario pic.twitter.com/lEr9P8kf73
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) November 29, 2025
The team is set to conclude their year with another match before heading into January camp and participating in tournaments like the SheBelieves Cup. Hayes highlighted that there are limited opportunities before October, making each moment significant as they aim for qualification.
