USWNT Finishes 2025 with a Strong 2-0 Victory Against Italy as Macario and Shaw Shine
The US women's national soccer team capped off a successful year by securing a dominant win against Italy, highlighted by goals from Catarina Macario and Jaedyn Shaw.
The U.S. women’s national team closed out 2025 with a commanding 2-0 victory over Italy on Monday, showcasing significant progress under head coach Emma Hayes during her transition period as preparations heighten for the 2027 Women鈥檚 World Cup.
Key Moments
Catarina Macario opened the scoring in the 20th minute, capitalizing on a well-timed pass from Lily Yohannes. Macario maneuvered into the box and delivered a perfectly curled shot into the net.
Emma Hayes’ reaction to Cat Macario’s unreal chip speaks volumes. Pic
The USWNT extended their lead just before halftime, with Jaedyn Shaw finding the back of the net thanks to an assist from Alyssa Thompson. Shaw navigated through traffic before finishing smoothly past goalkeeper Francesca Durante.
馃挜 JAEDYN SHAW 馃挜 Pic
Despite dominating possession, the U.S. created fewer clear goal-scoring chances than in the previous match. Their shot count decreased from 19 to 16, and their expected goals dropped to just 1.44, their second-lowest of the year. Conversely, Italy barely threatened, managing only 0.31 expected goals from six attempts.
The upcoming year will launch with a friendly against Paraguay on January 24, a vital step leading to the Concacaf W Championship in November, which will serve as a qualifying event for the 2027 World Cup.
Notable Performances
Macario and Shaw have recently shone among the U.S. squad’s younger talents, both effectively translating their club successes into national performance. After several years affected by injuries, Macario is demonstrating her potential, tallying seven goals and three assists in her last 14 matches. Shaw, playing a crucial role in Gotham FC鈥檚 recent NWSL Championship run, has included three goals and one assist in her last five appearances. Their success emphasizes the depth and talent within the USWNT, essential as they navigate roster composition with returning players from injury or maternity leave.
Reflection on the Season
With 30 matches under her leadership, Hayes has started 50 players, marking a notable breadth of talent in her first year. This expansive player pool is set to make the competition for squad selection more intense as preparations continue for future challenges, with a freshly dynamic team structure compared to what was inherited.
