Macario, Shaw power win over Italy in USA women's soccer finale

Dec. 2 (UPI) -- Catarina Macario and Jaedyn Shaw found the net for first-half scores to lead the United States Women's National Team past Italy in their 2025 finale.

Lily Yohannes and Alyssa Thompson assisted the scores in the 2-0 triumph Monday in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. The Americans finished 2025 with a 12-3-0 record under coach Emma Hayes.

"We had a lot of ups and downs this year," Macario told reporters. "I'm just really proud of this team for being able to battle through everything."

The U.S. women outshot Italy 16-6, including a 7-1 edge in shots on goal. They controlled 65.9% of possession in their second consecutive shutout of the Italians.

"I really enjoyed the performances in these two games," Hayes said. "I think they were my favorite performances of the year because more players delivered that performance, not just 11."

Macario, who scored twice in a 3-0 win over Italy on Saturday in Fort Lauderdale, nearly started Monday's scoring in the 7th minute, but tapped a shot wide right off a breakaway.

She redeemed herself about 13 minutes later.

Yohannes picked up a loose ball on the right flank before she spotted the striker. She then curled a long ball behind the defense and ahead for Macario, who gained control above the box.

Macario tapped the ball right, glanced at the goal and then chipped a shot over Italian goalie Francesca Durante and into the left side of the net.

Macario and the Americans continued to launch assaults on the Italian net throughout the first half. Shaw finally doubled the advantage in the 41st minute.

Thompson dribbled in from the right flank and completed a give-and-go with Macario to start that sequence. She then ran to the midfield circle and split several defenders with a pass ahead of Shaw.

The right wing took several touches to create space and finished the play by rifling a shot into the upper right corner of the net, past a leaping Durante.

American defenders proceeded to suffocate Italian attacks throughout the second half to secure their fourth straight win and third consecutive shutout.

The U.S. women will host Paraguay in another international friendly at 5:30 p.m. EST Jan. 24 at Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif. That matchup will air on TNT and truTV and stream on HBO Max and Peacock.