SAN DIEGO.- The United States will face Brazil in the Women’s Gold Cup final. The Stars and Stripes struggled to beat Canada. The semi-final was decided in the penalty round, with Alyssa Naeher saving three penalty kicks.
The Brazilian national team previously defeated Mexico (3-0) in the first match of the day.
The Americans took the lead in the match with a goal by Jaden Shaw (20). The weather and pitch conditions worked to their advantage. The Canadian defender tried to support herself with her goalkeeper, Cailin Sheridan, but the ball stopped due to heavy rain puddles in San Diego, and the striker took advantage of the opportunity to score the ball and open the scoring.
It appears that Team USA will resolve the situation in regular time. But Canada did not give up and were rewarded by tying with a goal each. Jordin Heitema (82) shot a perfect header that was blocked by the American goalkeeper, sending the match into overtime.
The tension rose as the stopwatch progressed. The United States took the lead again with a goal by Sophia Smith (99′), but Adriana Leon equalized again (120′) from a penalty kick in the final minute to go to extra time.
In the penalty shootout, Alyssa Naeher became the star by saving three penalty kicks and giving the Americans a place in the final.
The final act of the 2024 Women’s Gold Cup between the United States and Brazil will take place on Sunday, March 10 at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego.
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