SAN DIEGO, California – The second semifinal of the 2024 Concacaf W Gold Cup saw the United States get the second ticket to the Final after defeating Canada 3-1 in a penalty shootout following a 2-2 extra time finish on Wednesday evening at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
After much box-to-box action, the U.S. opened the score thanks to the services of On The Rise player Jaedyn Shaw in the 20’, after she quickly got to a loose ball in the box, scoring her fourth goal of the tournament.
Canada tried to pull one back, calling in experienced players after 45 minutes of action, with MF Quinn getting a 100th cap after being substituted on in the 69’.
Hard work paid off for Canada and after a great collective play, DF Ashley Lawrance sent a cross from the right side of the área where FW Jordyn Huitema was ready to send a header past GK Alyssa Naeher in the 82’, getting her second goal of the tournament and bringing Canada level 1-1.
In the dying minutes of regulation time, the U.S. had one final chance when MF Rose Lavelle sent a ball into the box from a corner kick that almost found the net, however, the Canadian defense cleared, resulting in extra time.
In the additional frame, the Stars and Stripes found themselves back on the scoresheet in the 99’, after FW Sophia Smith was ready in the box to receive a flicked-on header from Lavelle, beating Sheridan to score her first goal of the tournament.
With just seconds remaining, Canada once again equalized when the referee called a penalty for Canada in the 120’+5 after a VAR review, and FW Adriana Leon converted for her sixth goal of the tournament, sending the game to a penalty shootout.
Naeher would end up being the hero after stopping three penalties, and scoring one herself alongside Smith and Captain Lidsey Horan to ultimately give the U.S. the win and the ticket to the Final.
The U.S. will take on Brazil on Sunday afternoon at Snapdragon Stadium to see who will get to lift the trophy of the first W Gold Cup.
