Emma Sears' hat trick propels USWNT past New Zealand

Field Level Media|published: Wed 29th October, 22:22 2025

Oct 29, 2025; Kansas City, Missouri, USA; USA forward Michelle Cooper (12) and forward Emma Sears (19) celebrate after a goal by Sears in the first half of the match against New Zealand at CPKC Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kylie Graham-Imagn Images

Emma Sears notched her first professional hat trick and Catarina Macario recorded a brace to help the United States women's national team roll to a 6-0 rout of New Zealand in an international friendly on Wednesday night at Kansas City, Mo.

Rose Lavelle also had a goal and Michelle Cooper had two assists as the USWNT improved to 20-1-1 all-time against New Zealand.

The USWNT (10-3-0 in 2025) completed a three-match set of friendlies. The American previously split two matches with Portugal.

Claudia Dickey made two saves for the United States. New Zealand counterpart Victoria Esson had five stops.

Sears struck in the eighth minute when she received a pass from Cooper and knocked a right-footed shot past Esson.

Macario produced her first of the night in the 34th minute when she took a right-footed shot that hit off the foot of Esson and caromed high into the net.

Ten minutes later, Lavelle made it 3-0 when she sent a right-footed blast into the right corner of the net. The goal was Lavelle's 27th for USWNT.

New Zealand took its first shot in the 52nd minute and then had a stellar opportunity one minute later that began with a corner kick. Kate Taylor was right in front of the net for a header, and Dickey got her hand on it after a bounce to keep her shutout intact.

Sears scored goal No. 2 of her hat trick in the 55th minute when Cooper again set her up with a cross. Sears knocked the ball down sent a right footer into the net.

Macario recorded her fourth career brace for USWNT in the 66th minute after receiving a pass from Lindsey Heaps. Macario sent a right-footed shot into the left corner of the net for her 13th international goal.

Sears had her first opportunity for a hat trick in the 77th minute, but her right-footed shot was tipped over the net by Esson.

Six minutes later, the USWNT had a free kick and the ensuing scramble saw the ball hit the left goalpost and bounce to the right. Sears was standing at the goal line and drilled the ball in the net for her fourth USWNT goal.

The USWNT had an 18-0 edge in first-half shots and finished with a 34-3 advantage.

--Field Level Media

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