USWNT vs. China score: USA soccer cruise to shutout victory in international friendly

A 3-0 win for the Americans produced some positive vibes for Emma Hayes' side

The U.S. women's national team returned to winning ways on Saturday at Allianz Field in Saint Paul, Minnesota, beating China 3-0 in a friendly that served as yet another showcase for the team's rising talents.

Emma Hayes' side dominated from start to finish and notched the game's first goal 28 minutes in, courtesy of Catarina Macario. Michelle Cooper's cross first found Alyssa Thompson, but a scramble in the box meant Macario was the last person to get a touch on the ball, sending it into the back of the net.

The USWNT doubled their lead just seven minutes later through Sam Coffey, though Thompson and Macario also played a crucial role. Thompson won the ball in the attacking third and whipped in a cross that Macario received, quickly playing the ball to Coffey before she smashed it into the back of the net.

The game's final goal came just nine minutes into the second half as the USWNT wreaked havoc on China's high line. Phallon Tullis-Joyce played the ball out of the back and Macario won it, sending it towards a wide-open Cooper. She then ran down the right flank before playing a cross to Lindsey Heaps, who scored off a header.

Hayes leaned heavily on inexperienced players for Saturday's game since 15 players on the roster have 20 or fewer caps, many of them excelling in these circumstances. Thompson, Cooper and Lily Yohannes were amongst the standouts, while Lo'eau LaBonta made history as the oldest player to debut for the USWNT at age 32.

The USWNT return to play on Tuesday, facing Jamaica at St. Louis' Energizer Park.

[May 31, 2025 at 7:27 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

FT: USA 3, CHN 0

The USWNT collect a straightforward win, their first since losing their last game in a friendly against Brazil in April. This did not end up being an expected test against China, who played a high line when head coach Emma Hayes anticipated a more defense-minded shape, though a few players took their opportunities well. Alyssa Thompson, Catarina Macario and Michelle Cooper excelled as the race to start in the USWNT's attack heats up in the absence of the triple espresso, while Lily Yohannes had another sharp outing in midfield. Not a bad way for Hayes to ring in her first anniversary as the USWNT head coach.

[May 31, 2025 at 7:16 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Chance for Olivia Moultrie

79' Emma Sears has the ball on the right side of the pitch and sends the ball towards the far post, where Olivia Moultrie is. The 19-year-old makes all the right decisions but cannot get a great shot off, missing what cuold've been a great chance at a fourth goal for the USWNT.

[May 31, 2025 at 7:15 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Slower tempo

77' USWNT head coach Emma Hayes makes one final change to finish out the game, with 19-year-old Olivia Moultrie replacing Lindsey Heaps. The tempo of the game has slowed since the third goal, though that is not uncommon in friendlies -- many coaches, Hayes included, go heavy on the substitutions in the second half, disrupting the rhythm somewhat.

[May 31, 2025 at 7:08 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Lo'eau LaBonta makes her USWNT debut

69' Emma Hayes goes to the bench again, making thee substitutions -- Emily Sams, Lynn Biyendolo and Lo'eau LaBonta are on for Emily Sonnett, Catarina Macario and Lily Yohannes. At 32 years old, LaBonta is the oldest person to debut for the USWNT but earns her first cap after years of steady service in the NWSL, currently playing for the Kansas City Current. Here's Hayes during a press conference earlier this month on LaBonta's attributes.

• Hayes: "She's deserving of the call-up. She's been consistent in everything that she has done. She's a super player and someone who, like I said, is deserving [of] that and this is the right moment to do it."

[May 31, 2025 at 6:54 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Two USWNT changes

56' Head coach Emma Hayes makes two changes with about 30 minutes to go, bringing on Emma Sears and Ally Sentnor for Alyssa Thompson and Michelle Cooper. Again, with triple espresso not in the mix, it is important for the USWNT to offer chances to a wide range of attacking options and Thompson and Cooper really seized their opportunities today.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:50 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

GOAL! USA 3, CHN 0

54' The USWNT bag a third goal that's a true team effort. The play begins with Phallon Tullis-Joyce but it's Catarina Macario who wins the ball in midfield and sends it to Michelle Cooper, who is free to make a nice run because China's high line cannot cope. In the end, Cooper comes up with a cross that lands perfectly for Lindsey Heaps, whose header lands in the back of the net.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:48 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Catarina Macario in the box

51' Catarina Macario makes her way into the box and poses some danger to China but goalkeeper Pan Hongyan is able to collect the ball and keep the USWNT at bay -- for now. The hosts have already been in the attacking third a few times to start the second half, while China are still sticking to the high line that caused them some trouble in the first half.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:48 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

No changes into the half

Ten minutes have gone by and Hayes made no lineup changes out of halftime, but there were plenty of players warming up throughout the break. Lo LaBonta was part of player warmups. As the 50th minute ticks past, Emma Sears is along the sidelines warming up. 

[May 31, 2025 at 6:42 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Second half underway

China make one change to start the second half, with Jiali Tang coming on for Wang Shuang.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:26 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

HT: USA 2, CHN 0

The first 45 minutes have been cool and calm for the USWNT, who have dominated with relative ease and have the scoreline to back it up. A game state like this one is beneficial for in-form players like Alyssa Thompson, Catarina Macario and Michelle Cooper, who have ensured the USWNT's offense has not missed triple espresso one bit so far. The story of the first half, though, might be China's tactical choices -- head coach Ante Milicic opted to play a high line, which is an ambitious approach but one that has not paid off for the visitors much. It will be worth seeing if Milicic changes things up in the second half, but the same goes for his counterpart Emma Hayes as she continues to try new things with the USWNT.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:18 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Almost another for the USWNT

39' Catarina Macario has the ball and she's some distance from goal but she's feeling confident and takes a crack, and the shot isn't far off. Lindsey Heaps does the same a moment later and that shot isn't terribly far from the goal, either. Hard to deny that the USWNT are having some fun right now.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:14 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

GOAL! USA 2, CHN 0

35' The USWNT take advantage of China's (somewhat surprising) high line and they are off to the races in a play that ends with Sam Coffey doubling the team's lead. The play starts with Alyssa Thompson winning a loose ball in the attacking third and running to the endline before whipping a cross into the box, which lands perfectly at Catarina Macario's feet. She wastes little time before playing the ball to Coffey, whose quick hit means the ball slots into the top left corner. It's Coffey's second international goal, both coming against China.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:06 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

GOAL! USA 1, CHN 0

28' Michelle Cooper makes a run down the right flank and Catarina Macario makes a parallel dash to the far post, but it's Alyssa Thompson who gets a first touch on the ball before Pan Hongyan gets a touch on it. Thompson tries to keep the ball alive and gets another touch but then there's a scramble in front of the goal, allowing Macario to get a touch of her own and finally put the ball in the back of the net. Macario scores her 11th international goal, and now also has strikes in back-to-back games for the USWNT.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:06 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Phallon Tullis-Joyce with the stop

27' Ziqin Shao wins the battle on the left flank and sees Jin Kun making a run straight at the goal, sending the ball to her teammate. Jin connects well with the ball but cannot get a great shot off, making it a fairly straightforward stop for Phallon Tullis-Joyce, who is well-positioned to do so.

[May 31, 2025 at 6:05 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Getting creative on set pieces

Another corner for USWNT and its a played short but still ends up a header opportunity for Heaps

[May 31, 2025 at 5:59 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USWNT youngsters make moves

19' Yohannes has the ball in midfield and sees plenty of space in front of her, so she decides to make a dart towards goal and finds herself in a decent position to make a cross from the right wing into the box. She does just that with Thompson making her own run towards goal but she cannot connect with the ball. The ball flies to the other flank, where Dunn is waiting and able to whip in a cross of her own but none of her teammates are able to finish the job this time.

[May 31, 2025 at 5:50 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Good chance USWNT

Coffey springs Cooper with a good ball through with Macario and Thompson as extra runners, but the ball across is just cleared away for a corner kick. First of the match goes to USA. 

[May 31, 2025 at 5:45 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Yohannes with a good start

The teenage midfielder is already causing worry for China, getting her jersey pulled while still getting passes off and making plays. Already made some good overlapping runs between her and Michelle Cooper, and trying to connect with Macario and Heaps. It'll be another test for her as she marks a year from her national team debut. 

[May 31, 2025 at 5:40 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

USWNT tested early 

Goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce forced out of her box as China presses early to present a dangerous scenario. The keeper snuffs out the danger. But exactly the type of clean-up the coaching staff wants to see.

[May 31, 2025 at 5:28 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

USA 0, CHN 0

The first of two USWNT friendlies this week is officially underway in Saint Paul, Minnesota.

[May 31, 2025 at 5:38 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Live look-in

We're about two mins away from kick off! Lineups are out and anthems have been played. USWNT are sporting their new exclusive kits today

[May 31, 2025 at 5:30 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

China starting XI

China's lineup is full of talents based in their domestic leagues like Wang Shuang but a few Europe-based players make the lineup, including West Ham defender Li Mengwen and Dijon's Wang Yanwen. Here's a look at China's team.

China starting XI: Pan Hongyan, Li Mengwen, Wu Haiyan, Linlin Wang, Chen Qiaozhu, Liu Jing, Wang Shuang, Ziqin Shao, Wang Yanwen, Zhang Xin, Jin Kun

Substitutes: Xu Huan, Dou Jiaxing, Shen Mengyu, Mengjia Yao, Ou Yiyao, Ruiqi Qiao, Aifang Wang, Jie Zhi, Jiali Tang, Yuexin Huo, Yu Zhu, Qingwei Zhai

[May 31, 2025 at 5:16 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Scouting China

China is coming off a pair of lopsided victories against Uzbekistan (5-0) and Thailand (5-1) in April. The wins followed a third place finish at the Pinatar Cup in February with very mixed results (1-1-1) against Canada, Chinese Taipei, and Mexico. Manager Ante Milicic is celebrating one year with the program and evaluating his "modern playing style" approach with the squad. 

The two countries have a long history with meetings in major tournaments, most notably the 1996 Olympic gold medal match and the 1999 FIFA Women's World Cup, where the USWNT were victorious. The two sides recently played in December 2023 during two matches to close out the calendar year. The USWNT won both meetings, defeating China 3-0 and 2-1. Goals were scored by Sophia Wilson, Lindsey Heaps, Trinity Rodman, Sam Coffey, and Jaedyn Shaw. 

[May 31, 2025 at 5:15 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Lily Yohannes' first year with the USWNT

Lily Yohannes earns the latest start of her young USWNT career, which started a year ago with a substitute appearance against South Korea and a goal that only added to the promise the 17-year-old has demonstrated during the early stages of her career. Head coach Emma Hayes has been strategic with integrating the young midfielder into the team, her patient approach in line with the abundance of time the USWNT have until the 2027 Women's World Cup, though Hayes admitted yesterday that Yohannes has made plenty of strides in the last year.

• Hayes: "She's physically developed in the last 12 months, tactically, in possession. When she plays for her club team, they generally have the ball against sort of mid to low blocks. So, I think she's developed that side of her play. I think for us, playing against opponents like Brazil and Japan were extremely high-level games that will serve her well in the future. But as I always keep saying, she's got a lot of development to do. I think it will be up and down, and I think they will see really good moments, and I think we'll see different moments. I think it's what you can expect from a 17-year-old. She's got unbelievable maturity and coachability, and someone who I know is going to become an important part of our program, but I'm invested in that development, and we have to be patient with that, considering her tender age and her lack of international and high-level experience."

[May 31, 2025 at 5:10 pm ET · Sandra Herrera]

Stadium check in

Welcome from Allianz Field! I'm on the ground in Minnesota, and the stadium is set for a good audience today. Emma Hayes said during yesterday's conference that the team is gearing up to face a very organized China team in a 4-4-2 and that this window remains another opportunity for less experienced players to step up. 

[May 31, 2025 at 5:00 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Naomi Girma returns for the USWNT

The USWNT may be without several veterans but one is officially back -- center back Naomi Girma. She starts for the USWNT for the first time in 2025 but there are still plenty of fresh faces in this lineup, including goalkeeper Phallon Tullis-Joyce, defender Avery Patterson and forward Michelle Cooper. Here's a look at the USWNT's lineup.

USWNT starting XI: Phallon Tullis-Joyce, Avery Patterson, Naomi Girma, Emily Sonnett, Crystal Dunn, Sam Coffey, Lily Yohannes, Lindsey Heaps, Michelle Cooper, Catarina Macario, Alyssa Thompson

Substitutes: Mandy McGlynn, Emily Sams, Lo'eau LaBonta, Tara McKeown, Lynn Biyendolo, Ally Sentnor, Olivia Moultrie, Claire Hutton, Claudia Dickey, Emma Sears, Emily Fox, Kerry Abello

[May 31, 2025 at 2:34 pm ET · Pardeep Cattry]

Hello and welcome!

The USWNT may not have a major tournament coming up but Saturday's game marks the start of a busy summer for the Olympic gold medalists with the first of five games in the next five weeks.

Head coach Emma Hayes has been using the so-called downtime to her benefit, spending much of the last several months experimenting with the player pool and trying some new ideas. That will once again be the case on Saturday against China, since 15 players with 20 or fewer caps are in the squad. Who ends up playing and how the team looks is the big question as always, the answers usually providing plenty of food for thought as the long road to the 2027 Women's World Cup begins.

Stick around for pre-match coverage and updates once the game kicks off in Minnesota.