The United States women’s national team claimed a 3-1 shootout win over Canada in the semifinals of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup on Wednesday. The Americans ousted their regional rivals in a bizarre and chaotic match marred by a waterlogged pitch at Snapdragon Stadium that made it nearly impossible for either team to play fluid soccer.
After conceding a VAR-assisted penalty that allowed Canada to tie the contest at two apiece in the 127th minute, U.S. goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher recovered and stole the show in the shootout. The veteran netminder stopped three spot-kicks, and converted an effort of her own, to send the USWNT into the title game of the inaugural tournament.
The United States, ranked No. 2 in the world, will now take on Brazil in the final on Sunday. The Brazilians, invited guests for the competition, routed Mexico 3-0 in the day’s other semifinal.
