USWNT vs Italy prediction, projected lineups, and how to watch

Before we turn the page on 2025, Emma Hayes and the USWNT still have two games left to play this year. After a compelling NWSL final last week, the international calendar year comes to a conclusion for the U.S. with a pair of games against Italy. The first match is set for Black Friday in Orlando.

Heading into Friday’s match, the USWNT has 10 wins and three losses in 2025. That includes two wins and a surprising loss to Portugal during the October window. Overall, it’s been a successful year for the Americans, although they played no competitive matches outside of the SheBelieves Cup in February, and they still have more than a year and a half until the next World Cup. Nevertheless, Hayes would surely like to close out the year on a high note.

As for the Italians, they will challenge themselves with two games against the U.S. to finish off a successful year. Over the summer, Italy reached the semifinals of the Euros, losing to England in extra time. Of course, with a draw against Japan and a loss to Brazil in October, the Italians are desperate for a positive result to finish 2025, especially with qualifying for the 2027 World Cup set to begin next March.

How to Watch USWNT vs Italy

Time: Friday, November 28, 7:00 PM, ET

Venue: Inter & Co Stadium, Orlando, Florida

TV/streaming: TNT and HBOMax in English | Universo and Peacock in Spanish

USWNT vs Italy Projected Lineup

The year-long experimentation from Hayes is likely to continue on Friday. The USWNT will be without several notable players, including Trinity Rodman, whose club future is uncertain, and presumed No. 1 goalie Phallon Tullis-Joyce. Even with plenty of veterans in the mix, there are 10 players with five caps or fewer on the roster, which will make the starting lineup somewhat unpredictable.

USWNT Lineup (4-3-3, right to left)

Mandy McGlynn (GK) - Emily Fox, Emily Sonnett, Naomi Girma, Avery Patterson - Lindsey Heaps, Croix Bethune, Sam Coffey - Alyssa Thompson, Cat Macario, Emma Sears

Italy Lineup (5-4-1, right to left)

Francesa Durante (GK) - Elisabetta Oliviero, Martina Lenzini, Cecilia Salvai, Elena Linari, Lucia Di Guglielmo - Sofia Cantore, Arianna Caruso, Manuela Giugliano, Nadine Nischler - Cristiana Girelli

USWNT vs Italy prediction

This should be a good test for the USWNT to close out their year. The Italians will be confident after their success at the Euros this past summer, meaning they won’t be overly respectful of the Americans or happy to park the bus. That means the U.S. should expect a similar challenge to the one they faced when they played two games with Portugal last month.

Of course, the Portuguese shocked the USWNT with a 2-1 win. A similar result is possible in this game if the Americans overlook Italy or assume they will be able to dominate the game. To help make amends for that loss, Hayes will likely play a veteran-laden squad in the first game of the window to give those players a chance to make amends for the defeat in October.

Ultimately, Friday’s game should be one of the toughest the USWNT has had since it lost to Brazil in April. They aren’t likely to steamroll the Italians the way they’ve done to teams like Jamaica, Ireland, and New Zealand throughout the year. Of course, the Italians haven’t yet reached the level of an elite team like the U.S. In the end, Italy will put up a good fight, but the USWNT will prevail with the victory.

Prediction: USA 3, Italy 1