The Azzurre’s 2025 and American tour ends with another defeat against the dominant USA. After the 3–0 loss on Friday in Orlando, at Fort Lauderdale’s Chase Stadium, the home of Leo Messi’s Inter Miami, the home side won 2–0 thanks to the excellence of the formidable Macario and 21-year-old Shaw.

A result that doesn’t give enough credit to the spirit and courage of the Azzurre, who came close to taking the lead through Piemonte and remained in the game until the final whistle. A match played at high pace by both teams, accompanied, despite just over 9,400 spectators (Florida proving again somewhat “cold” towards women’s football), by the usual show in the stands.

 

 

The coach commented, “Tonight I saw that drive and determination that we usually bring to the pitch, once again. We’ve improved compared to three days ago, and I’m certain that this experience will teach us a lot. I wanted to see how each of us would react in the face of difficulties: I’m happy because I saw that team spirit once again, which is key when facing national teams of this level. We would have liked a different ending, but we will build on the potential we showed today, which will help us deliver great performances and reach Brazil in two years.”

 

THE MATCH. Playing the United States twice in three days doesn’t happen every day. As announced ahead of the game, the coach reshuffled the starting eleven to give playing time to all, or almost all, of the squad. In the 3-5-2 formation used today, Lenzini, captain Linari, and Caruso were the only players to start again; Durante was in goal, who also started against Brazil in October. In midfield, Schatzer and Dragoni brought energy, supported on the flanks by Bonfantini and Di Guglielmo. In attack, Corelli was with Piemonte, making her second appearance for the senior national team. There were many changes on the US side as well, though Hayes did not bench her star Macario, who scored a brace in Friday’s Orlando clash.

 

 

Compared to the first 90 minutes, the start of the game was encouraging: Italy were present and managed to counter the home side’s pace, launching attacks through Dragoni’s bursts, Corelli’s physicality, and coming close to taking the lead twice through Piemonte. However, at the first lapse in concentration, the Stars and Stripes went 1–0 up thanks to the reliable Macario (her eighth goal of 2025), who in the 20th minute paced down the right wing and beat Durante with a shot from the edge of the area. After the goal, the Americans increased the pace and returned to their usual vertical play, hitting the crossbar in the 28th minute with Heaps and forcing the Azzurre to retreat into their own half. The defence, led by a strong Salvai, held firm until the 41st minute, when, following a “PlayStation-style” move developed at double speed, the 21-year-old Shaw curled a shot from the left that found the top corner.

 

 

 

The second half began with Cantore coming on for Bonfantini, while the United States continued to move the game and their opponents with pace. Sears, the newcomer, hit the crossbar, and then there was a triple chance for Soncin’s side: two fell to the right foot of the Washington Spirit forward, and one to Dragoni on the left, narrowly missing her first Azzurre goal with a shot from an excellent position that went just over. In the final 30 minutes, both coaches made several substitutions, with the Italian coach giving valuable minutes to D’Auria and Pavan, but in the closing stages, the standout was Durante, who was excellent in preventing a third goal on two occasions. The Azzurre’s American tour concluded with a lap of the pitch to greet their supporters, around 200 spread across the stands. One thing is certain: a double defeat on the home soil of women’s football cannot overshadow the incredible year Andrea Soncin’s team have had, which re-ignited the fans’ passion through the Nations League and the European Championship. The Azzurre will be back in action in March with the start of their journey to the 2027 World Cup, the national team’s next major aim.

 

UNITED STATES 2–0 ITALY (HT 1–0)

UNITED STATES (4–2–3–1): Dickey; Bugg, Girma (Wesley 46’), Fox (Patterson 46’), Wiesner (Reale 77’); Hutton, Heaps (Howell 79’); Shaw, Yohannes (Bethune 77’), Thompson (Sears 46’); Macario. Substitutes: McGlynn, Sonnet, Coffey, Howell, Moultrie, Lavelle, Joseph. Coach: Hayes

ITALY (3–5–2): Durante; Lenzini (Oliviero 63’), Salvai (D’Auria 80’), Linari; Bonfantini (Cantore 46’), Caruso, Schatzer (Greggi 63’), Dragoni (Pavan 76’), Di Guglielmo; Corelli (Beccari 63’), Piemonte. Substitutes: Baldi, Boattin, Merlo, Piga, Giugliano, Goldoni, Nischler, Cambiaghi, Girelli. Coach: Soncin

Referee: Priscilla Perez (MEX); Assistants: Mayling Chavarria (NCA), Heidy Caal (GUA); Fourth official: Ximena Marquez (MEX)

Goals: 20’ HT Macario (USA), 41’ HT Shaw (USA)

Attendance: 9,400