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Cloé Lacasse tries to control the ball on the soaked pitch in Canada's Concacaf W Gold Cup semifinal against the United States. (Photo: Canada Soccer)
RECAP: CanWNT eliminated from W Gold Cup with shootout defeat to rival United States
2024-03-07
by
Benedict Rhodes, CanPL.ca Contributor (@BTFR17)
Canada Soccer CANWNT National Teams

The Canadian women’s national team was eliminated from the Concacaf W Gold Cup on Wednesday night, falling on penalties to the United States after a wild back-and-forth semifinal.

The start of the match was slow and unattractive due to the heavy rain and waterlogged pitch in San Diego. The ball wasn’t rolling or bouncing in the soaked grass, but the officials elected not to stop the match. Twelve minutes in, that water did Canada a favour, as a breakaway for Trinity Rodman was stopped in its tracks as the ball found a puddle and Rodman overran it.

As players attempted to adjust to the conditions, some better than others, it was the United States that opened the scoring in the 20th minute. After a long pass over the Canadian backline, Vanessa Gilles tried to play a pass back to Canadian goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan. Normally a routine play, the ball slowed down drastically in the wet grass at the edge of the Canadian penalty area, and before Sheridan could charge off her line to get to it, Jaedyn Shaw pounced and chipped it into the back of the net for her fourth goal of the tournament.

That would be the only goal of the first half. Both sides were mostly limited to audacious long shots, as trying to pass or run with the ball into the box wasn’t often a great option given the conditions.

Jessie Fleming thought she won a penalty for Canada early in the second half, after Tierna Davidson stepped on her foot in the box. Despite a very vocal protest from the usually-reserved Canadian captain, the referee declined to check with the video assistant referee, and awarded the United States a goal kick.

After more back-and-forth football, Les Rouges finally found their breakthrough in the 82nd minute, on a quick counter-attack up the pitch.

Adriana Leon tracked down a pass from the back by Jade Rose before finding Ashley Lawrence out wide. Lawrence took a touch before crossing the ball into the box toward Jordyn Huitema, who got up to head the ball past Alyssa Naeher and tie the match at 1-1.

Canada maintained their pressure on the Americans in the final ten minutes and stoppage time, but couldn’t find a second goal. The Americans had one more opportunity as well, from a late set piece, but Vanessa Gilles was able to clear the ball of the line, getting redemption for her giveaway on the opening goal.

For the second match in a row, Canada needed extra time to decide their fate at the tournament.

Sophia Smith gave the United States the lead in extra time, giving the United States the lead nine minutes into the first half of the 30-minute period. Rose Lavelle won a header in front of the Canadian penalty area, which fell to Smith, who beat Kailen Sheridan with a shot on her first touch.

As time ticked away and it seemed like the hosts were going to hang on for the win, Canada won a late penalty. Jade Rose served a perfect long cross into the penalty area, which Vanessa Gilles attacked before being cleaned out by Naeher in the air. Both players got up, and were fine, but the referee consulted the VAR this time, and awarded a penalty to Canada.

Adriana Leon stepped up to take it, and buried it into the bottom right corner to tie things up with the final kick of extra time, sending the game to a shootout.

Sophia Smith shot first and buried her penalty, before Leon stepped up again but this time had her effort saved. Korbin Albert’s penalty sailed over the crossbar on the second shot for the United States before Huitema had her shot saved by Naeher. The American goalkeeper surprisingly took the third shot for her side and buried it, before Quinn picked out the top corner for Canada’s first goal. Lindsey Horan scored to open the fourth round, putting pressure on Jessie Fleming to keep Canada in the tournament, but the Canada captain’s kick was stopped, ending the match.

With the defeat, Canada has been eliminated from the SheBelieves Cup. The United States advance to the final, which will be against Brazil on Sunday at Snapdragon Stadium.

BOX SCORE

Goals

20′ — Jaedyn Shaw (United States)
82′ — Jordyn Huitema (Canada)
99′ — Sophia Smith (United States)
120+7′ — Adriana Leon (Canada) — penalty

Discipline

90+2′ — Yellow: Adriana Leon (Canada)
120+5′ — Yellow: Alyssa Naeher (United States) — penalty

Penalty Shootout 

Round 1:

Sophia Smith (Goal)
Adriana Leon (Missed)

Round 2:

Korbin Albert (Missed)
Jordyn Huitema (Missed)

Round 3:

Alyssa Naeher (Goal)
Quinn (Goal)

Round 4:

Lindsey Horan (Goal)
Jessie Fleming (Missed)

 

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