The USWNT closed out 2025 with a pair of wins over European semi-finalists Italy.

The roster consisted of the following players:

GOALKEEPERS (3): Claudia Dickey (Seattle Reign FC; 4), Mandy McGlynn (Utah Royals; 4), Jordan Silkowitz (Bay FC; 0)

DEFENDERS (10): Jordyn Bugg (Seattle Reign FC; 4/0), Emily Fox (Arsenal FC, ENG; 69/1), Naomi Girma (Chelsea FC, ENG: 48/2), Avery Patterson (Houston Dash; 8/1), Lilly Reale (Gotham FC; 4/0), Izzy Rodriguez (Kansas City Current; 1/1), Emily Sams (Orlando Pride; 6/0), Emily Sonnett (Gotham FC; 112/2), Kennedy Wesley (San Diego Wave; 1/0), Kate Wiesner (Washington Spirit; 0/0)

MIDFIELDERS (7): Croix Bethune (Washington Spirit; 4/0), Sam Coffey (Portland Thorns FC; 41/5), Lindsey Heaps (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 167/38), Jaelin Howell (Gotham FC; 5/1), Claire Hutton (Kansas City Current; 9/1), Rose Lavelle (Gotham FC; 115/26), Lily Yohannes (OL Lyonnes, FRA; 11/1)

FORWARDS (6): Jameese Joseph (Chicago Stars; 0/0), Catarina Macario (Chelsea FC, ENG; 27/13), Olivia Moultrie (Portland Thorns FC; 10/4), Emma Sears (Racing Louisville; 11/4), Jaedyn Shaw (Gotham FC; 29/8), Alyssa Thompson (Chelsea FC, ENG; 24/3)

The starting XI’s of the two matches were as follows: 

I won’t get too into the weeds of either of these games. Instead I’ll focus on some highlights and possible takeaways.

First of all, welcome back, Naomi Girma. We have missed you. This tackle was insane, absolutely incredible work. Pure class.

Defensively, the USWNT still looked shaky on some of their set piece defending. There were a couple of opportunities for Italy that luckily never found the back of the net. Overall, though, they looked solid. Lilly Reale seems to be making a strong case for herself to take over the currently open left outside back role. Even the extremely green backline that played together at the end of the second match held off a more aggressive Italy.

Interestingly enough, Claudia Dickey started both matches in goal. Phallon Tullis-Joyce is currently out with a fractured eye socket. The fact Mandy McGlynn didn’t get any time seems to indicate that the competition for the number one spot is definitively between Dickey and Tullis-Joyce.

Offensively, the US had some really pretty buildup play that led to some really pretty goals. It felt like there could have been more as well. Olivia Moultrie continued her scoring streak early into the first match.

Unlike some of the previous camps this year, the US were able to keep the pressure on and score multiple goals in both matches.

Catarina Macario scored three goals this camp. One was pretty obviously offside but the officials allowed it to stand. Macario has been an important part of the USWNT’s offensive production throughout this calendar year, and it’s been a joy to watch.

It feels like Macario may truly be out of the woods now following many ups and downs with injuries that have consistently kept her out of major tournaments. My hope for Macario is that she continues to build fitness and consistency while remaining healthy. She deserves to be on that plane to Brazil.

More things that I love to see: Jaedyn Shaw back with the seniors doing Jaedyn Shaw things.

She scored a banger and it has been great seeing her thriving since her trade to Gotham toward the end of the season. Shaw is playing with the creativity, flash, and joy that she became known for throughout 2023 and 2024. It’s great to see her back with the squad and seemingly back on a positive path.

Head Coach Emma Hayes has given 27 players their USWNT debuts throughout her tenure so far. Jameese Josephs and Kate Wiesner being the two most recent. It’s been fun to watch this group of young, internationally inexperienced players come together and develop before our eyes this year. There’s still work to be done, but many have stepped up to fill the gaps left by the likes of Sophia Wilson, Mallory Swanson, Tierna Davidson, Alyssa Naeher, and Crystal Dunn who have all been out for reasons ranging from maternity leave and retirement to injury and limited playing time.

Watching this version of the USWNT handily take down Italy twice this camp demonstrates the depth Hayes has to pull from come 2027. In reality, this version of the team is probably still missing three to five likely starters, and both lineups scored multiple goals and kept a clean sheet. Not too shabby at all.

That’s a wrap on soccer in the US until 2026! I’ll be working on some end-of-season reflections on Angel City but will otherwise be taking a bit of a break unless something crazy comes out about the club or in Europe. Time to rest up and recharge before competition picks back up in the new year.

**Images from USWNT