Latest news with #Macario

Straits Times
3 days ago
- Sport
- Straits Times
Catarina Macario and US women coast past China in friendly
US forward Catarina Macario wheeling away in celebration in a friendly at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on May 31. PHOTO: AFP – Catarina Macario scored and had an assist for the United States women's national football team as 'security blanket' Naomi Girma made her return during a comfortable 3-0 friendly victory over China in a friendly in Saint Paul, Minnesota, on May 31. It was the 17th win in 21 games for the English coach Emma Hayes, who was tasked with restoring the Americans to the summit of the women's game following their early 2023 World Cup exit. She has already started the revival with gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics. On May 31, the former Chelsea manager hailed the return of defender Girma – the first million-dollar player in women's football history. It was her first appearance for the US in 2025. Hayes said: 'We've missed her... Just in terms of the way we control the game; her, in a deeper space, just making decisions when to play forward, when not to.' Sam Coffey added: 'Having her on the field is like having a security blanket.' Macario scored in the 28th minute and set up Coffey's goal in the 35th minute. Lindsey Heaps made it 3-0 in the 54th minute at Allianz Field. This was the first of five matches for the US ahead of Concacaf qualifying for the 2027 Women's World Cup in Brazil. Next up for the US are Jamaica in St Louis on May 3. Macario proved she is fully recovered and back to brilliance after an anterior cruciate ligament injury cost her nearly two years of action and saw her miss the 2023 World Cup. She has eight goals and five assists in her past nine starts and was in the right spot at the right time for the opening goal. Macario opened the scoring after 28 minutes, bundling home a close-range finish after good work from Alyssa Thompson. The US doubled their tally seven minutes later with a brilliantly worked goal, which began when the gifted 17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes released Thompson down the right, who crossed for Macario. Macario played a short pass into Coffey, who swept home with aplomb. Heaps bagged the US' third in the 54th minute, nodding in past China goalkeeper Pan Hongyan to effectively seal the win. A milestone occurred in the 70th minute when Lo'eau LaBonta replaced Yohannes. LaBonta, 32, became the oldest player to make her US debut, surpassing 30-year-old McCall Zerboni. LaBonta is more than 14 years older than Yohannes. LaBonta said: 'When they called my name, I was sitting being the best cheerleader I could be on the bench. I was like, 'This is amazing. I've never been field view watching the national team'. It was so cool. And they were like, 'Lo, go.' And I was like, 'Go where? All right, let's go!'' REUTERS, AFP Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.


The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
USA Women Beat China 3-0 in Friendly Under Emma Hayes
THE UNITED STATES romped to a 3-0 win over China in a women's international football friendly on Saturday, as the former world champions' renaissance under coach Emma Hayes continued. Goals from Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps delivered a convincing win for the American women, who dominated a fragile Chinese side at Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the 17th win in 21 games for the USA's English head coach Hayes, who was tasked with restoring the Americans to the summit of the women's game following their early 2023 World Cup exit. Hayes, who led the USA to a gold medal at last year's Olympics, is preparing her squad for this year's qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The former Chelsea manager would have liked what she saw in a fluid first half performance that saw China's risky tactical decision to play with a high line punished ruthlessly. Macario opened the scoring after 28 minutes, bundling home a close-range finish after good work from Alyssa Thompson. The USA doubled their tally seven minutes later with a brilliantly worked goal, which began when the gifted 17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes released Thompson down the right who crossed for Macario. Macario played a short pass into Coffey, who swept home with aplomb. Macario and Heaps both threatened to add to the USA tally with long-range shots that were just off target before half-time. Heaps though bagged the USA's third in the 54th minute, nodding in past China goalkeeper Pan Hongyan to effectively seal the win. The USA face Jamaica in a friendly in on Tuesday,


The Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Sun
US women cruise past China in friendly win
THE UNITED STATES romped to a 3-0 win over China in a women's international football friendly on Saturday, as the former world champions' renaissance under coach Emma Hayes continued. Goals from Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps delivered a convincing win for the American women, who dominated a fragile Chinese side at Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the 17th win in 21 games for the USA's English head coach Hayes, who was tasked with restoring the Americans to the summit of the women's game following their early 2023 World Cup exit. Hayes, who led the USA to a gold medal at last year's Olympics, is preparing her squad for this year's qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The former Chelsea manager would have liked what she saw in a fluid first half performance that saw China's risky tactical decision to play with a high line punished ruthlessly. Macario opened the scoring after 28 minutes, bundling home a close-range finish after good work from Alyssa Thompson. The USA doubled their tally seven minutes later with a brilliantly worked goal, which began when the gifted 17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes released Thompson down the right who crossed for Macario. Macario played a short pass into Coffey, who swept home with aplomb. Macario and Heaps both threatened to add to the USA tally with long-range shots that were just off target before half-time. Heaps though bagged the USA's third in the 54th minute, nodding in past China goalkeeper Pan Hongyan to effectively seal the win. The USA face Jamaica in a friendly in on Tuesday,


France 24
3 days ago
- Sport
- France 24
US women cruise past China in friendly win
Goals from Catarina Macario, Sam Coffey and Lindsey Heaps delivered a convincing win for the American women, who dominated a fragile Chinese side at Saint Paul, Minnesota. It was the 17th win in 21 games for the USA's English head coach Hayes, who was tasked with restoring the Americans to the summit of the women's game following their early 2023 World Cup exit. Hayes, who led the USA to a gold medal at last year's Olympics, is preparing her squad for this year's qualifiers for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil. The former Chelsea manager would have liked what she saw in a fluid first half performance that saw China's risky tactical decision to play with a high line punished ruthlessly. Macario opened the scoring after 28 minutes, bundling home a close-range finish after good work from Alyssa Thompson. The USA doubled their tally seven minutes later with a brilliantly worked goal, which began when the gifted 17-year-old midfielder Lily Yohannes released Thompson down the right who crossed for Macario. Macario played a short pass into Coffey, who swept home with aplomb. Macario and Heaps both threatened to add to the USA tally with long-range shots that were just off target before half-time. Heaps though bagged the USA's third in the 54th minute, nodding in past China goalkeeper Pan Hongyan to effectively seal the win. The USA face Jamaica in a friendly in on Tuesday.


Boston Globe
3 days ago
- Sport
- Boston Globe
Naomi Girma returns, Lo'eau LaBonta makes historic debut in US women's win over China
A moment of history for Lo'eau LaBonta ✨ At 32 years old, she becomes the oldest player to make her debut for the — U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) The match also marked Girma's first appearance for the national team this year. The 24-year-old defender has been nursing injuries but recently returned to help Chelsea win the Women's Super League title and the FA Cup. Girma commanded a record $1.1 transfer fee when she moved from the San Diego Wave to Chelsea earlier this year. Advertisement Catching up with Nae prior to kickoff! Catch us on TBS, Universo, Max and Peacock. — U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) Tullis-Joyce, who plays for Manchester United, started in goal in just her second US appearance as coach Emma Hayes looks to replace goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher, who retired from the national team last year. Macario scored her 11th international goal after Alyssa Thompson kept the ball alive in a tumble in front of the net in the 28th minute. Too Easy for Cat 😤 — U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) Coffey made it 2-0 in the 35th minute, taking a pass from Macario out front and banging her second goal for the US past goalkeeper Pan Hongyan with her left foot. Pick out that corner, Sam 🔥 — U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) Heaps, the US captain, scored on a header in the 54th minute. The United States is currently missing several key contributors from last year's Olympic gold medal-winning squad. Sophia Wilson and Mallory Swanson are both on maternity leave. Trinity Rodman is dealing with a nagging back issue. Advertisement The United States famously defeated China on penalties in the 1999 Women's World Cup final. The teams last met in 2023, with the Americans winning both games. The Americans have a 39-9-13 overall record against China, including five straight. The United States was coming off a 2-1 loss to Brazil on April 8. China defeated Thailand 5-1 in its last outing. The US faces Jamaica on Tuesday in St. Louis.