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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Wowowowow Naeher may be the best penalty taker on the team but she has also saved three penlarties to put the USWNT into the W Gold Cup final. What an impressive bounce back to move on from the World Cup dissapoinment.
Canada: XX✅X
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The USWNT are now one penalty from finishing this!
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After saving two penalties, why not come and nail your own
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Naeher has come to play denying back to back pens.
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Massive from Naeher in net!
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It's right into the left corner!
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Leon nails her penalty and Canada again dashes the USWNT hopes so we'll head to a penalty shootout.
Naeher made contact going for the ball but after going to the monitor, Canada will have a chance to tie the match after the match should be complete.
While it's understandable to want to slow things down, it's far too much time remaining to go to the corner flag in possession.
Lawerence has been great in combination since Huitema came on offering a target in the middle. Canada are still finding too much space as the USWNT needs to tighten up.
Just gotta make it tough for Canada and be aware of them in the air to avoid breakdowns in the final 15 mintues.
Rose Lavelle did a great job pulling everyone away from Smith and faced dead on with a keeper, Smith won't miss those. The lead has been restored as Smith nets her first goal of the W Gold Cup.
it looked like Smith was in for Canada to start off extra time but a great defensive intervention will keep things level.
We're getting free soccer in the W Gold Cup semifinal as the match is knotted 1-1 after 90 minutes of play. It has been a trying match with everyone looking to make the best of the conditions but we've got more to go.
Williams had another great chance but was unable to make it count and we'll have six minutes of stoppage time before potential extra time.
It was a great cross to the head of Huitema and she wouldn't miss it. It was a great goal as Canad pulled the USWNT from side to side and now we're back level with six minutes of regulation remaining before stoppage time.
Judging the ball through the puddles can be quite tough but Naeher has been able to keep control of the box in adverse conditions. Only 10 minutes remain during which the USWNT will need to maintain this lead for .
Alex Morgan will exit as there is a change up top and Sophia Smith will go through the middle to make this an extremely direct attack. Challenges are still flying in left and right but with 18 minutes remaining, it's time to protect a lead.
The Canada goalkeeper has received treatment and will stay in the match but with these conditions, it will be something to watch closely.
Rodman almost found Lynn Willams in the box but the header wasn't on target. The USWNT are better in possession during the second half where a second goal would be a huge spot of insurance in this match.
Davidson made contact with Fleming in the box but despite a stoppage after the fact, the USWNT survived not conceding a penalty.
The USWNT has made changes to bring in some fresh legs with Williams entering for Shaw and Krueger entering for Nighswonger. this is both about building fitness and protecting players.
The USWNT has the lead after pouncing on a dead ball in the box. A narrow, 1-0, lead for the U.S. with little actually happening on the pitch in terms of tactics or formations. The rain and soggy pitch have become the story tonight.
Sheridan was able to clear them but set plays in this weather are something that can offer quite an advantage for the USWNT if the conditions don't improve. No one knows where the ball is going to bounce.
It's still wet out there as the USWNT are playing on a slip-n-slide but the rain has begun to ease up. 32 minutes in with a lead, they're able to ease into the match more as getting to the half intact is the goal.
The USWNT has been playing over the top as much as they could and Shaw took advantage of a Canada back pass that got stuck to score her fourth goal of the tournament. The conditions are still brutal but you'll take that.
Trinity Rodman and Alex Morgan have both had great chances but the ball is just getting stuck. There is no soccer being played at the USWNT's attacking end of the pitch and at this point, get to half and hope that the rain slows up.
