Cat Macario Dominates as US Women Crush Italy 3-0 in Friendly

UPDATE: In a stunning display, Cat Macario scored twice as the United States Women’s National Team overwhelmed Italy with a 3-0 victory on Saturday night at Inter&Co Stadium. This match marks the first of two friendlies, with the second matchup set for December 1, 2023, in Fort Lauderdale.

The U.S. team wasted no time establishing dominance, finding the net within the first two minutes. Fresh off their NWSL title with Gotham, Olivia Moultrie opened the scoring with her second goal in as many appearances. Veteran midfielder Rose Lavelle, earning her 116th cap, orchestrated the play, showcasing the team’s strategic emphasis on a fast start.

“I think obviously we wanted to keep building on the performances we had last camp… and I think that’s what we did,” Lavelle stated after the match. Her sentiments were echoed by Moultrie, who noted, “We talked about starting fast and starting strong, and I think the momentum carried out.”

After an offside call thwarted Moultrie’s potential second goal early in the second half, Macario took the spotlight. In the 64th minute, Sam Coffey set up Macario, who blasted a shot to extend the U.S. lead. Macario added her second goal in the 76th minute, assisted by Lily Yohannes, marking her 15th goal in just 28 international appearances.

“I feel so happy to be in this environment,” Macario said. “It was a great win… just trying to find my rhythm.” The victory not only solidifies the team’s preparation for upcoming competitions but also highlights Macario’s impressive form, contributing to 18 goals in her last 14 appearances.

Goalkeeper Claudia Dickey earned a shutout in only her fifth senior appearance, underscoring the team’s strong defensive performance. The U.S. women’s team aims to build on this success as they prepare for the rematch against Italy in December, with hopes of continuing their winning streak.

Fans and analysts alike are eager to see if the U.S. can maintain this momentum in the next friendly, a crucial opportunity for players to solidify their positions ahead of future tournaments. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.