The United States Women’s National Team (USWNT) earned their third straight victory in an international football friendly on Friday (28 November), besting Italy 3-0 in Orlando, Florida.
The five-time Olympic champions looked confident and composed as they took to the pitch against Italy for the first time since 2010, attempting to build on wins over Portugal and New Zealand in late October.
Olivia Multrie set the tone for a one-sided contest early on, converting a perfectly timed cross from Rose LaVelle in the second minute to give the U.S. lead.
Italy did come close to levelling the score when Chiara Beccari went one-on-one with Naomi Girma, but a turn of speed from the defensive star foiled the Italian forward’s attempt on goal.
Catarina Macario further solidified her side’s lead in the second half, when she converted on a cross from Sam Coffey in the 64th minute. It wasn’t long before she was celebrating with her teammates again, as she fired a shot from distance into the goal at the 76th minute.
As the U.S. continued to control possession, Italy found themselves outplayed and outclassed. By the time the final whistle blew, there was little fight left in the European side.
Both sides will have a few days to recover and strategise, before gearing up for the second match of their double-header on Monday (1 December).