Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made three saves in a penalty shootout and scored one of her own to help the U.S. women's national team earn a victory over Canada in waterlogged San Diego on Wednesday to advance to the final of the CONCACAF W Gold Cup.
At the end of a 2-2 draw, the U.S. won the shootout 3-1 in four rounds, setting up a match against Brazil in San Diego on Sunday for the right to be the inaugural tournament champion. The Brazilians defeated Mexico 3-0 on Wednesday in the other semifinal.
Sophia Smith gave the U.S. a 2-1 lead in the 99th minute, only to have Adriana Leon convert a penalty kick in the 127th minute to send the match to the shootout.
Smith's goal came after Rose Lavelle outjumped two Canadians to head the ball into the box, where Smith ran onto it and smashed a shot to the right corner.
In the 121st and final allotted minute, Naeher tried to punch the ball but collided with Canadian defender Vanessa Gilles. A penalty was awarded after a review.
Jaedyn Shaw had put the U.S. ahead in the 20th minute before Jordyn Huitema got the equalizer in the 82nd minute to send the match to the 30 minutes of extra time.
Downpours left the field nearly unplayable in the first half with large areas of standing water scattered throughout that made passes on the ground suddenly stop rolling as players sloshed around trying to get control of the ball.
That's exactly what happened to give the U.S. the lead. A long outlet by Lindsey Horan was played about 5 yards outside the penalty area by Gilles.
Her routine back pass to goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan was anything but that, and the ball died at the penalty spot. Shaw raced in and slotted the ball past the charging Sheridan.
Shaw, 19, became the first U.S. women's player to score in her first four career starts. She leads the team with four goals in the tournament and has six goals in nine international matches.
Field conditions improved in the second half and the Canadians leveled the score with just their second shot on target with Huitema's header from 7 yards. She soared over U.S. defender Emily Fox to put in a cross from the right flank by Ashley Lawrence.
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