Catarina Macario, USWNT cruise past China in friendly

Catarina Macario scored and had an assist for the U.S. women's national team, as they cruised to a 3-0 victory over China in a friendly in Saint Paul, Minn., on Saturday.

Macario scored in the 28th minute and assisted Sam Coffey's goal in the 35th. Lindsey Heaps made it 3-0 in the 54th.

This was the first of five matches for the USWNT this spring and summer ahead of CONCACAF qualifying for the FIFA Women's World Cup in Brazil.

Next for the U.S. is Jamaica in St. Louis, MO, on Tuesday.

Macario proved she's fully recovered and back to brilliance after an ACL injury cost her nearly two years of play, including 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 score. Michelle Cooper made a strong run to the end line and sent a cross to Alyssa Thompson in the middle of the box. Thompson made a sliding attempt to redirect the ball and managed to keep the play alive long enough for Macario to pounce on the loose ball and flick it in with the outside of her right foot. She has 11 goals in 24 appearances.

Coffey made it 2-0 with Thompson again involved although she did not get an assist. She sent a ball from the right flank to Macario, who settled it and passed to Coffey for her second goal in 34 matches.

Heaps added to the lead with header on a service by Cooper. She has 38 goals.

Phallon Tullis-Joyce made her second appearance for the U.S. and was called upon to make a save in each half for her second shutout.

A milestone occurred in the 70th minute when Lo'eau LaBonta replaced Lily Yohannes. LaBonta, 32, became the oldest USWNT player ever to debut, surpassing 30-year-old McCall Zerboni.

LaBonta, by the way, is over 14 years older than Yohannes.

--Field Level Media