Catarina Macario stole the show in the USWNT 3–0 win over China to kick off the team’s summer schedule. Macario started by scoring and assisting on the second goal, directly contributing to the result and duly demonstrating that she has recovered to be back to her best after joining up with the national team. The performance is consistent with what games over the course of the recent period had been indicating: Macario not just recovered her rhythm but emerged as an important cog in the team’s offense.
She picked up a loose ball inside the box and slotted it into the net in the 28th to silence the hushed atmosphere. There wasn't much prettiness about it, but inside a box it did all that it needed to. A couple of minutes later, she floated an easy pass through to Sam Coffey for the second goal. Easy, effective, and important goals. Macario took her number to 11 goals in an American jersey overall and three of them within 2025 itself. None of her colleagues has done anything more than her this campaign.
Coffey scores once more and Heaps scores once more
Sam Coffey had netted her side's second goal after 35 minutes. Macario had passed her the ball from the edge of the box, and from there, she struck it calmly and accurately with her left foot. This is her second goal for her country, and it followed her previous goal against the same team.
The third goal for Captain Lindsey Heaps, which she registered in the 54th minute, came after a right-side crossing by Michelle Cooper. Heaps, who was out by the post, struck it powerfully with no hope for the keeper. This goal registered her 38th career goal for the club, and she moved her name into a tie with Mallory Swanson for the 16th place all-time team scorer.
Cooper and Thompson display their character in key plays
Michelle Cooper contributed with two important assists. The first, from her right side, delivered a low cross that led to Macario’s goal. The second, early in the second half, took a path to Heaps’ head.
Alyssa Thompson, who did not reach her target, had a significant role to play initially. She threw herself forward for the ball inside the box, took a tumble but retained possession. Her effort produced a deflection off a Chinese defender, then Macario's finish.
LaBonta debuts and breaks age mark
Lo'eau LaBonta got her chance to play and make history in the 70th minute. At 32 years, 2 months, and 13 days, she became the oldest player to debut for the USWNT. The record had previously been held by McCall Zerboni, who debuted just shy of her 31st birthday. LaBonta's selection is symbolic.
This presents a message that age is no obstacle if one continues to perform. That she has been chosen based on her club record and behavior on and off the field is a reflection of her deservingness. This selection confirms that space for experience is not misplaced even for an invigorating team.