Bold headline: Cat Macario is on a tear, and the rest of the USWNT is racing to keep up. But here’s where the drama really sits—Alyssa Thompson’s spark isn’t lighting as consistently as before, stirring lively debate about where the team’s offense is headed next.
The USWNT wrapped up 2025 with a confident 2-0 victory over Italy, following a 2-0 win in the rematch just three days earlier. The year finished with a 12-0-3 record and a notable surge of newcomers: 43 players earned their senior debuts, the most since 2001. Head coach Emma Hayes used the final games to stress-test depth, blend youth with experience, and push the squad to evolve its playing style.
For the Italy rematch, Hayes rotated five starters and handed three teenagers—Lily Yohannes, Claire Hutton, and Jordyn Bugg—their first starts together. Lindsey Heaps reached a milestone 170th cap, tying Carla Overbeck for 20th on the all-time list. The mix of fresh talent and seasoned players has become the defining arc of the year for the program.
“Our goal is to build successive, competitive teams,” Hayes said. “Not just one team and then a rebuild four years down the line. This is how I know to build teams.”
Looking ahead, the USWNT will pause for a break before January camp and the opening friendlies of 2026, with World Cup qualifying shaping the early cycle. Macario’s three goals across the Italy matches led the charge, while Claudia Dickey capped the year with back-to-back clean sheets as the defense continues to settle in.
Stock up: Cat Macario
Macario’s return to peak form has been nothing short of inspiring. She leads the year’s scoring with eight goals and was the clear anchor in both Italy games. Her hold-up play was sharp, and she finished decisively in both encounters—scoring a brace in the first match and notching a superb late strike in the second. In the last three U.S. appearances, she’s tallied five goals, helping the team record its ninth win in 10 matches. Yohannes noted Macario’s finishing precision makes her an elite finisher and a prime target for assists.
“Cat is a special player. If she gets the ball in front of goal, ten times out of ten, it’s probably going in,” Yohannes observed.
Macario’s surge seems unstoppable, and the mixed zone afterward reflected a player who feels both pride and a growing sense of normalcy—back on the field, scoring, and doing so alongside teammates she considers friends.
Stock down: Alyssa Thompson
It’s a touch harsh to call it a drop, but Thompson’s influence over the two Italy matches wasn’t at her typical peak. She started both games and flashed moments of her usual dynamism, yet she struggled to find rhythm on the wing. Her best moments typically come when she cuts inside to drive at defenders, but those opportunities were limited. When on the ball, she often fed into quick combination play through the midfield rather than taking on players one-on-one.
The Chelsea forward faced a whirlwind year, and with Mallory Swanson and Sophia Smith likely to return, competition for attacking spots will intensify. For Thompson to stay in the mix, leaning into what makes her unique while adapting to a deeper forward line is essential.
Stock up: Rose Lavelle
Lavelle appeared in only one of the two Italy games, a sensible scheduling note after her standout title-winning goal helped Gotham FC clinch the 2025 NWSL Championship. Yet she looked unfazed by the quick turnaround, controlling the midfield and setting an aggressive tempo from the start. Her early ball to Olivia Moultrie opened the scoring in the first 90 seconds. Lavelle now has three assists this year and 27 in her U.S. career.
Her high soccer IQ remains a standout, spotting gaps and threading passes in tight spaces. With 116 caps, she brings veteran leadership and poise that will be vital as the team moves toward the 2027 World Cup.
Stock down: Emma Sears
Racing Louisville’s Emma Sears didn’t replicate her earlier success for the national team. She ran hard and pressed relentlessly after entering in the second half, but timing and finishing were off. The wing role is fiercely competitive, and when a player doesn’t directly contribute a goal or assist, the impression can tilt against her. Still, Sears’ energy off the bench is valuable, offering the kind of spark teams lean on during extended campaigns.
Stock up: Lily Yohannes
At 18, Yohannes already plays with the calm and composure of a veteran. Her maturity in possession and understanding of space have impressed coaches and teammates alike. In the second Italy match, she earned her second U.S. assist (both to Macario), underscoring the trust Hayes places in her creative instincts. In postgame remarks, Hayes acknowledged Yohannes’ potential while emphasizing the need to develop her defensive discipline to unlock a central-midfield ceiling. If she continues refining those elements, Yohannes could become a world-class player.
Stock up: Jaedyn Shaw
Shaw has had a roller-coaster year—returning from a period away with the U-23s to reestablish herself in the senior squad. She scored a breathtaking goal in the 40th minute against Italy, finishing with composure after receiving the ball from Thompson on the left. Shaw’s postgame comments expressed gratitude for the chance to contribute at this level, while Hayes highlighted her defensive work rate and ability to stay on the field for a full 90 minutes as key growth areas.
Stock down: Sam Coffey
Coffey, a seasoned midfielder, started only one of the two Italy games. She did provide an assist to Macario, yet her overall showing didn’t stand out as strongly as in previous appearances. Coffey remains a No. 6 with evolving attacking instincts, but with an elite midfielder pool, every match is a proving ground for the three chosen starters. Her assist marked just the second of the year.
Stock up: Claire Hutton
Hutton continues to impress beyond her years. The Kansas City midfielder is defensively minded but consistently sets up plays for her teammates. In both Italy fixtures, she helped control possession and linked lines effectively. When paired with Heaps and Yohannes, the midfield becomes formidable. At 19, her ceiling feels limitless, and Hayes has suggested that her growth will depend on broadening her defensive capabilities to match her already advanced ball progression.
If Yohannes and Hutton keep developing their game intelligence and defensive reliability, the USWNT could unveil another top-tier player in the squad.
