USWNT Stars Shine Bright in Impressive Showdown Against Italy

The 2025 campaign has concluded for the U.S. women's national team. What an incredible year it has been.

The USWNT wrapped up their final international matches of the year with two clean sheets against Italy, featuring a 3–0 triumph in Orlando on Friday and a 2–0 success in Fort Lauderdale on Monday evening.

The USWNT concluded 2025 with a 12-3-0 record, suffering defeats only to Japan, Brazil and Portugal. The USWNT maintained an unbeaten streak under Emma Hayes going into '25 and now stands at 25-3-2 since her appointment as head coach in June '24.

With World Cup qualifying preparations gaining momentum, let's examine who strengthened their position and what uncertainties persist following these recent exhibitions.

Who strengthened their position?

Catarina Macario

This international period may be remembered as the Macario showcase. Following years of expectation, these exhibitions against Italy highlighted a player who has now established herself as the cornerstone of the USWNT's offensive strategy.

Macario featured in both matches against Italy and netted three times (a double in the opening exhibition and the first goal in the second match). The exquisite chipped finish in the second exhibition ranked among the finest technical efforts in recent program memory.

Emma Hayes' reaction to Cat Macario's unreal chip says it all 😮‍💨 pic.twitter.com/s6zqKVPa6X

No USWNT player has found the net more frequently than Macario in 2025 (eight goals). The Chelsea striker has also now scored seven times in her previous seven starts for her nation. She stands as a frontrunner to earn the USWNT's Player of the Year honor for 2025.

It has been an extensive journey for Hayes and Macario. Hayes recruited Macario during her tenure as Chelsea manager in 2023. At that point, the striker was rehabilitating from an ACL injury that would sideline her for nearly two years. This year with the USWNT represents the culmination of years of dedication between player and coach.

"She's regained some confidence," Hayes commented Monday evening. "And that's important to her, not to me, because I always believe she delivers excellent performances. But I witnessed tonight that there truly is another dimension to her game, in her own words, not mine, and I believe I understand how she feels in this setting, like she feels appreciated and recognized and encouraged."

Jaedyn Shaw

Looking back twelve months, Shaw was seeking a move from the San Diego Wave to the North Carolina Courage. Six months prior, Hayes was reassigning Shaw to the U.S. U23 team. Just ten days ago, Shaw was celebrating the NWSL Championship with NJ/NY Gotham FC following remarkable playoff displays.

It's been a turbulent year for Shaw, but she concluded it in spectacular fashion. Shaw netted her first USWNT goal of 2025 with a thunderous strike, assisted by Alyssa Thompson, to secure a 2–0 advantage on Monday evening. The goal exemplified the liberation she has demonstrated since joining Gotham in September and revitalizing her career.

However, Hayes emphasized Shaw's defensive contributions during this period. Shaw created the turnover that resulted in Macario's opening goal against Italy on Monday evening. That intensity throughout 90 minutes represents growth and will enhance Shaw's prospects of becoming a more consistent starter.

"I'm extremely proud of Jaedyn and her development. I've mentioned previously, she could score countless goals, but her defensive work for the team stands out to me as her greatest improvement area, I'm delighted for her," Hayes stated.

She came, she Shaw, she scored a screamer for the @USWNT 🇺🇸✨pic.twitter.com/iyoxsocTbu

Lily Yohannes

The USWNT midfield appears as strong as it has in recent years, with Yohannes's distribution skills playing a significant role. The OL Lyonnes midfielder displayed her sharp decision-making during the exhibitions against Italy and concluded the period with two assists.

Yohannes didn't receive the starting assignment in the 3–0 victory over Italy on Friday, but quickly made her mark as a substitute. Just five minutes after entering, Yohannes delivered a clever pass beyond the Italian defense for Macario to chase and convert.

In the second encounter with Italy, Hayes chose to start Yohannes. The Macario-Yohannes partnership was evident once more. What's remarkable about Yohannes's second assist for Macario is her vision to execute the through ball early and place it precisely where her teammate could exploit the space. The curve that Yohannes applies to the ball is a rare skill among players.

When Yohannes features, the field appears more expansive. This recent period provided another demonstration of how the 18-year-old is becoming integral to Hayes's strategy.

Cat Macario's last two games:

vs. New Zealand: ⚽⚽
vs. Italy: ⚽⚽ pic.twitter.com/VIWapa0RCA

What uncertainties persist?

Jordyn Bugg

Without tournaments or qualifying matches in 2025, this year focused on providing experience to emerging players.

Hayes has awarded 27 players their inaugural cap for the USWNT, with 16 making their debuts in 2025. Jameese Joseph and Kate Wiesner became the most recent players to make their first USWNT appearances this week against Italy.

Among those 2025 newcomers is 19-year-old center back Bugg, who performed admirably against Italy. Bugg earned her fifth career cap in the second exhibition against Italy and completed the full match. She excelled, neutralizing the Italian offense and preserving the clean sheet.

Nevertheless, while Bugg's composure with the ball under pressure defines her capabilities, Hayes isn't yet declaring her USWNT position secure. The USWNT manager stressed the progress she expects from Bugg.

"Jordyn Bugg possesses tremendous talent. Is she prepared for the present moment? No, I don't believe so. I think she has excellent potential. She's a high-ceiling player who must develop the experience to compete at the elite level, which is why we utilize her in these circumstances," Hayes explained.

"She must improve in aerial situations at the top level. She understands that. We communicated that clearly to the entire backline. Tonight, we only won 25% of our aerial challenges, which was unacceptable."

Mandy McGlynn

With the USWNT's primary goalkeeper, Phallon Tullis-Joyce, sidelined due to an eye injury, this represented an opportunity for Mandy McGlynn to earn playing time. Instead, the Utah Royals goalkeeper remained an unused substitute in both matches, while Claudia Dickey took over as USWNT starter.

Currently, there seems to be an established hierarchy. Tullis-Joyce leads the depth chart, Dickey serves as the backup and McGlynn occupies the third position. Hayes appears to place limited emphasis on providing McGlynn minutes and prefers ensuring Dickey gains comfort should she need to continue filling in, or even compete for the starting role.

Izzy Rodriguez

Izzy Rodriguez is coming off an outstanding NWSL season with the league-leading Kansas City Current. The 26-year-old left back appeared in every Current match, topped the league in assists (6) and earned selection to the NWSL Best XI of 2025.

However, Rodriguez faces a highly competitive USWNT defensive group filled with emerging talent. Avery Patterson and Lilly Reale, who both received their first USWNT caps in 2025, seemed to already rank higher in Hayes's considerations.

Despite inclusion on the roster for these Italy exhibitions, Rodriguez remained inactive for both matches and didn't see any action. This came as somewhat of a shock and represented a disappointing outcome for any player hoping to make an impression.

Most surprisingly, Hayes chose to give Wiesner her first USWNT start at left back against Italy Monday evening instead of testing Rodriguez.