On a wet night at Snapdragon Stadium, the United States women's national team booked a place in the Concacaf W Gold Cup final after beating Canada in penalty kicks. The match saw the U.S. blow two leads in a 2-2 draw before Alyssa Naeher came up big in the shootout, saving three and scoring one herself. The Americans won the shootout 3-1. They'll face Brazil who defeated Mexico 3-0, but it was far from a simple match for the USWNT. From the first kick, it was clear that not much soccer was going to be played as the ball slowed down in the puddles on the pitch and sliding tackles were almost impossible. The conditions improved a little as the game went on, but mistakes were going to be made.
Jaedyn Shaw was a benefactor of the conditions with a Canadian back pass stopping for the 19-year-old to run onto for her fourth goal of the tournament but Canada found an equalizer in the 82nd minute as Ashley Lawerene's great cross reached the head of Jordyn Huitema who towered over Emily Fox for the equalizer to force extra time. In the first period of extra time, it was down to Sophia Smith doing what she does best, finishing a one-on-one with a keeper with a smile to put the USWNT ahead.
But Naeher would concede a penalty with a poor play on the ball in the final seconds with Adriana Leon converting the shot. Naeher would go on to stop Leon's attempt in the shootout, saving three of four, while three of four attempts for the U.S. would find the back of the net.
After World Cup elimination to Sweden in a shootout, this victory eases the pain from that and puts the side potentially 90 minutes from another trophy.
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