The U.S. women's national team closed out 2025 on a high with a 2-0 win over Italy on Monday, the performance showcasing the progress the group has made since head coach Emma Hayes began a year-long experimentation period as she rebuilds the team with the 2027 Women's World Cup in mind.

Three days removed from a 3-0 win over the same opponent , Hayes made five changes to the lineup that started on Friday and reaped the rewards for her selections in more ways than one. Fresh off bagging a brace in their previous meeting against Italy, Catarina Macario scored the USWNT's opener in the 20th minute. Lily Yohannes expertly saw Macario running into space and made the pass from the halfway line, with Macario meeting the ball before making a long run into the box and putting a curled shot into

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