Emma Hayes' USWNT got goals from veteran Macario and newcomer Ally Sentnor, as numerous stars stepped up in big moments
It was at the SheBelieves Cup three years ago that Catarina Macario seemingly took THE leap. She was the tournament's MVP in 2022 and it seemed that would be the start of her dominance with the U.S. women's national team. It didn't quite happen that way. Injuries took their toll, and U.S. fans haven't seen that version of Macario since.
On Thursday, we got a glimpse a finally-fit Macario. Spoiler alert: she still looks like a game-changer, one that could finally have a major role to play with this evolving USWNT group.
Macario scored the first of the USWNT's two goals on Thursday, leading the way in a 2-0 win over Colombia in Houston to open the 2025 SheBelieves Cup. This game, on paper, was the easiest of the USWNT's three in this tournament. It didn't always look that way.
The U.S. team, one without the famous Triple Espresso – Sophia Wilson, Trinity Rodman, Mallory Swanson – in attack, needed real moments of quality to open up this Colombia defense. Ultimately, they got them from several different places.
Macario was the ice-breaker, as she scored her first USWNT goal since April 12, 2022. Lily Yohannes did the hard work, playing Yazmeen Ryan in over the top. Ryan centered the ball and Macario did the rest – and you could immediately see the joy on her face the moment it hit the net.
"That was surreal, seriously," an emotional Macario told TNT after the match. "I just felt like it was a big weight off my shoulders, you know? Just so happy, so thrilled, to be scoring for the national team again, to be playing again… just be having fun, really. It means the whole world…. Definitely not easy – probably the hardest thing I’ve ever done in my life.
"There were a lot of tears that were shed, a lot of heartbreaks, that’s for sure. A lot of times that I thought I wouldn’t be able to play again. A lot of adversity, and I’m just so thankful to be playing again.”
That same joy was all over Ally Sentnor's face when she scored the USWNT's second and, more importantly, the first of her international career. It was a long-range stunner. The 2024 U.S. Soccer Young Female Player of the Year will be hard-pressed to score any better than this one she netted in her first USWNT start.
It was a good night for Emma Hayes' USWNT overall, as players both new and unfamiliar made their mark. Macario's return to form, though, might just be the most important of all as the U.S. welcomes back a player unlike any other.
GOAL rates the USWNT players from Shell Energy Stadium.
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Jane Campbell (6/10):
Didn't get challenged as much as she would have liked, particularly when you take into account that she's in a goalkeeper race. But she did keep another clean sheet.
Jenna Nighswonger (7/10):
Was so unlucky not to get a goal in the first half when she smashed the crossbar from a corner kick. Generally, everything went down her side as the USWNT used Nighswonger to break down Colombia on the left.
Emily Sonnett (6/10):
Had one bad sequence in which Colombia's Mayra Ramirez sat her down, but that happens sometimes. Other than that, was strong as usual, providing that veteran leadership on a night when she was honored for her 100th cap.
Tara McKeown (7/10):
Looked a little off it early as she adjusted to the pace and physicality, but it was clear to see that she settled into it. Looked so much more comfortable in minute 50 than she did in minute 5, which is a real compliment to her.
Emily Fox (7/10):
Wasn't asked to add too much on the attacking side as the U.S. targeted the left. Was very good defensively as she took on Colombia superstar Linda Caicedo.
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Lily Yohannes (8/10):
It's absolutely unfathomable that she can be this smooth at 17 years old. She didn't get an assist, but she deserved a few. Yohannes sprayed passes all over the field and nearly all of them were inch-perfect in her first USWNT start. If Yohannes brings this type of performance to this group consistently, the USWNT midfield is going to reach a different level with her in it.
Sam Coffey (7/10):
Shook off an early shot to the head to put in a typical shift. You always know exactly what you're going to get from Coffey, which is a great thing to have from a No. 6.
Lindsey Heaps (6/10):
Had a few good moments as the more attacking of the three, but didn't quite have it in the final third. Was always just a split second away from really breaking something open, but that didn't quite come together.
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Yazmeen Ryan (7/10):
A lovely assist on Macario's goal. Could have had one of her own, too, on a long-range rip early in the second half. Overall, Ryan was dynamic, offering more evidence of why she belongs in this loaded pool of attackers.
Ally Sentnor (8/10):
First start, first goal and a dream come true. It was a golazo, too, one that Sentnor will surely never forget. Outside of that, she had a few other moments of danger, including one just a minute or two after she scored that really should have been her second.
Catarina Macario (8/10):
She's back! The goal was great, but this was more than that. Macario was dynamic, creative and, most of all, effective in her return to the USWNT, which, hopefully, can be a sign of things to come.
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Lynn Biyendolo (6/10):
New name, same energy. DIdn't quite change the game, but she brought some life off the bench
Michelle Cooper (6/10):
Very fun to watch in her appearance. Certainly seemed up for it in her first cap
Gisele Thompson (6/10):
Very cool moment for her to come on for her first cap, but the quest to get both Thompson sisters on the field together goes on.
Korbin Albert (N/A):
Came in late with the game somewhat out of hand to replace Coffey, who had run her race.
Jaedyn Shaw (N/A):
Only got a few minutes at the end to stretch her legs, not necessarily make things happen.
Emma Hayes (8/10):
Got everything right. Got several players debuts while building up some of the NWSL-based veterans. Job well done for Hayes, who remains unbeaten in her first 16 matches with the USWNT.