By Lesley Ryder
The USWNT notched a decisive victory against China PR, with goals from Cat Macario, Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps en route to a 3-0 win.
China’s increased pressure and high defensive line took some time for the USWNT to unlock, but the opportunities became plentiful at the end of the first half. Michelle Cooper crossed a ball in to Alyssa Thompson, fighting through a tussle in front of goal. She forced the ball loose, and Cat Macario cleaned up for the first goal of the game. Seven minutes later, Alyssa Thompson worked the ball down the right side, and crossed to a waiting Macario, who took a deft first touch on the pass before finding Sam Coffey in space for the second goal of the match.
The US attack continued in the second half. Michelle Cooper went on a 50-yard run down field and placed a perfect pass to crown Lindsey Heaps for the third goal of the match.
The high line challenge may have frustrated the US at first, but the team was able to work through the pressure and adjust “I think the first half was difficult for us, but once we got into second half and we talked about the importance of rotations, and hitting the third man run and timing our runs correctly, It made it a lot easier,” said Michelle Cooper. “We're still developing, obviously, and we're still a young team, and we're making those connections, but it's good to know that only a couple camps in, we're being able to hit these passes, hit the runs in behind, get three points and three goals. It's absolutely huge for us.
Defensive returns
Naomi Girma took her place at center back for the first time in 2025. Hayes had only praise for the defender’s seamless return. “We've missed her. We have, just in terms of the way she controlled the game, in the deeper spaces making decisions and when to play forward, when not to, rebuilding the connections again.”
Phallon Tullis-Joyce got her second start of 2025 and recorded a shutout, outlasting a nervy press from China in the opening minutes. “They were a very narrow team and very aggressive. Came out a little bit more aggressive than we were expecting. But, I mean, that's what we look for—those challenges in order to be adaptable” Tullis-Joyce said after the match.
Pushing for perfection
Catarina Macario notched a goal and an assist on the night, but surprisingly, felt as though she did not perform her best. “I think, you know, we just have to figure out our rotations a little bit better, how to make them at the right time. And, yeah, I think with every single game, every single camp, we're learning a bit more about each other's tendencies.”
Hayes said she had to remind the players of the challenge they were up against. “I said to the players in the huddle, they drew the Canada last camp. They were narrowly beaten by Australia. They're a team ranked in the top 16. They're a really good side, really well organized. Yes, they played a higher line today. But if you think I said this to them, when you're trying to put together so many new players, as a coach, you want to make sure that every time you're with them, you're making less and less tactical corrections, and this week, we've made less than we've ever had to make.”
The progress continues to build for Hayes’ USWNT Project. “I think the team chemistry, the team cohesion, has improved a lot this camp, and suffering against Brazil was really helped. Suffering against Japan has really, really helped. Listen, we love winning, and everybody loves winning, but everybody who's a competitor likes improvement in performance, and I think we saw so many things that we've been layering into today's performance that that as a whole, was really rewarding for everyone.”
From the mixed zone
Lo’eau Labonta became the oldest player to make their USWNT debut when she came on the pitch in the 70’ minute to raucous applause. “I did definitely get chills when I heard that coming on“ she described the moment of her debut. “I think it's so fascinating that all these generations are like, literally on the team right now, right and you know, just my quote has been: be stubborn in the most positive way possible. Look where I am now, 32 and getting my first call up. So just keep going.”