USA 6-0 New Zealand (Oct 29, 2025) Game Analysis

Emma Sears scored a hat trick as the United States closed the October window with a one-sided 6-0 victory over New Zealand on Wednesday in Kansas City, Missouri.

US coach Emma Hayes once again rotated her starting XI, as she did in two friendlies against Portugal before the match against New Zealand.

All three of Sears’ goals came from close range, one in the first half and two in the second, as the United States dominated the 33rd-ranked FIFA team in the world and scored the most goals ever in a match under Hayes. Michelle Cooper had two assists.

Catarina Macario and Rose Lavelle scored with accurate shots for the first time to complete the scoring in the first half as the United States took a 3-0 halftime lead. Lavelle’s goal – the best of the group for the United States on Wednesday – came when she pounced on a loose ball and scored on a long-range curling volley from 20 yards.

“Rose Lavelle is one of the best players I’ve ever coached,” Hayes said of her captain the evening after the game. “Everything about her, her graceful play between the lines, the way she connects from back to front. I think she is not only accomplished and polished, but has all the qualities needed to break down the best teams.

“I mean that goal, the way she scored it with the ball coming up, not many players score that goal.”

The United States continued to keep the pressure on New Zealand in the second half, with Sears adding his second goal and Macario scoring his brace shortly after with a powerful shot from the right side of the box.

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Sears capped her stellar night with another close-range finish, smashing a loose ball into the roof of the New Zealand net for the first hat trick by an American since Sophia Wilson in April 2022 against Uzbekistan.

Defender Kennedy Wesley made his debut, becoming the 25th player to earn his first cap under Hayes. The back line from Wednesday’s starting lineup has only played in 11 matches combined for the national team.

The match took place at CPKC Stadium, the world’s first purpose-built women’s soccer stadium, home to the Kansas City Current of the NWSL. Cooper plays for the Current.

Before the match, the New Zealand team paid tribute to former captain Ali Riley, who retired from professional football. Riley played 163 games for the team.

The United States played without many of the stars who won gold at the Olympics. Trinity Rodman is dealing with a right MCL injury, while Wilson and Mallory Swanson are on maternity leave.

The Americans entered the game with a 19-1-1 record against New Zealand. The two teams last met before the 2023 Women’s World Cup, with the United States winning both in Auckland.

Despite their success on Wednesday, the United States lost one of their three matches in October friendlies, losing 2–1 to Portugal on October 23. Hayes’ side bounced back to beat Portugal in the teams’ second meeting three days later with a 3–1 victory.

The USWNT will play its final matches of the year against Italy on November 28 in Orlando, Florida, and December 1 in Fort Lauderdale.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this recap.