The world No. 2 USWNT opened their year-end friendlies in style on Friday, taking down No. 12 Italy 3-0 behind a second straight brace from leading 2025 scorer Catarina Macario.
The US struck early once again, with Olivia Moultrie finding the back of the net in under 90 seconds — marking the fourth consecutive game in which the USWNT scored within 10 minutes.
Macario added her two goals in the game's second half, while goalkeeper Claudia Dickey ensured the shutout with a pair of saves.
"We've often started fast and conceded just as quickly, so a clean sheet means as much to us this evening as the result and the performance," head coach Emma Hayes said afterwards.
Hayes opted for a veteran group to open the team's final 2025 FIFA break, working center back Naomi Girma back into the fold alongside mainstays like defender Emily Sonnett and midfielders Rose Lavelle and Sam Coffey.
That said, the US did see two international debuts on Friday, as Chicago Stars forward Jameese Joseph and Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner earned their first caps.
"I want to give opportunities to players that are not only deserving of it, but they develop the experiences that might be needed," said Hayes.
Friday's match brings the total number of first caps under Hayes's leadership to 27, with 16 of those debuts coming in 2025 — the most in a single year since the 1985 inaugural USWNT campaign.
"It can be tough when you have injuries, and you have a lot of rotation, but at the same time, it allowed us to tap into our depth and allowed a lot of people to get experience in really good, hard games," Lavelle said after Friday's win. "We can close out this year knowing we got all of that and then some."
How to watch the USWNT vs. Italy on Monday
The No. 2 USWNT will close out their 2025 campaign with a final friendly against No. 12 Italy in Fort Lauderdale on Monday.
The match kicks off at 7 PM ET, with live coverage airing on TNT and HBO Max.
The world No. 2 USWNT is stocking up to close out 2025, with head coach Emma Hayes dropping her 26-player roster on Wednesday morning ahead of a set of year-end friendlies against rising European star No. 12 Italy.
Hayes selected a blend of both Europe-based and NWSL talent, calling up formerly injured Chelsea standout Naomi Girma for the first time since July as well as Gotham FC standouts Jaedyn Shaw and Jaelin Howell — with Howell returning to the squad for the first time since 2022.
After an up-and-down October window, the US will look to finish the year strong against Le Azzure in Florida, taking on Italy in Orlando on November 28th before the pair square off again in Fort Lauderdale on December 1st.
Notably left out of the player pool are a pair of injured stars in Washington Spirit striker Trinity Rodman (MCL strain) and Manchester United goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce (fractured eye socket).
On the other hand, Bay FC goalkeeper Jordan Silkowitz, Chicago Stars forward Jameese Joseph, and Washington Spirit defender Kate Wiesner all head to training camp uncapped.
The roster's seven Spirit and Gotham FC players will have the tightest turnaround, jetting off to camp immediately following Saturday's 2025 NWSL Championship clash.
"We've accomplished a lot of goals, expanded the player pool, and made strides in our game model, so this camp will be an extension of that, but it will also set the groundwork for 2026, which will be our World Cup qualifying year," Hayes said in a statement. "Games against top European teams are so valuable… I know our players with embrace that challenge."
The year-end 2025 USWNT roster
- Goalkeepers: Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC)
- Defenders: Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign), Emily Fox (Arsenal), Naomi Girma (Chelsea), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash), Lilly Reale (Gotham), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride), Emily Sonnett (Gotham), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit)
- Midfielders: Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes), Jaelin Howell (Gotham), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current), Rose Lavelle (Gotham), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes)
- Forwards: Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars), Catarina Macario (Chelsea), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea)
How to watch the USWNT vs. Italy friendlies
Both the Friday, November 28th, and Monday, December 1st friendlies will kick off at 7 PM ET, with live coverage airing on TNT and HBO Max.