USWNT Slip ‘N Slide Past Canada in W Gold Cup Semifinal.

SAN DIEGO, CALIF. – Soccer analysts and fans alike agreed that last night’s match between rivals United States Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) and Team Canada would be a first rate slog. They did not expect that the semifinal game of the Concacaf W Gold Cup tournament would be played on a hyper-saturated bog, and under persistent cloudbursts at San Diego’s Snapdragon Stadium.

Early on, one would think that between the playing condition complaints made by Yanks’ Captain Lindsey Horan, good judgment by the field referees and onsite Concacaf officials, that the match would either be delayed to let the ground absorb the excessive water, and/or turf keepers mop-up the wide wading pools, or be outright postponed.

Nevertheless, Horan’s valid points fell on deaf ears, and the game was play. It was often was amusing and entertaining to watch both team’s players get soaked like kids playing around an open fire hydrant in New York City. 

For genuine football enthusiasts, the best was yet to come.

Team USA caught a massive break in the 19th minute of play. The Canadians attempted to playback the ball to their capable keeper, Kailen Sheridan, however the rolling pass stalled in a few inches of water. U.S. winger, Jaedyn Shaw, usurped her defender, then caught up with the stationary ball, and drilled into past Sheridan, who came out to challenge her. 

In the second 45, Canada took matters into their own hands and came roaring out of the changing room. 

In the 81st minute, the Maple Leafs beautifully combined inside and out of the 18 yard box, and scored on a crowd pleasing header when Jordyn Huitema rose above her mark, Emily Fox, and redirected a crossing ball past Alyssa Naeher.

The gritty game remained knotted up through stoppage time.

In the first of two extra time periods, substitute Sophia Smith executed one of her patent pending darting runs to catch up with a header-flick-pass from back-to-the-goal from Rose Lavelle. 

Smith launched a cruise missile past Sheridan and off it went into the upper right corner of the net. 

But a indefatigable Canada team was not ready to wipe their faces of the rain, grass and mud, and head into the stadium’s bank of hot showers.

In stoppage time of the second extra time period, the Canadians blitzed into the 18 yard box. A long pass found an incoming Vanessa Gilles and outgoing Naeher. Naeher missed the opportunity to punch the ball away, and instead, clocked Gilles. The match was paused as Canada’s medical group administrated first-aid to Gilles.

Concurrently, the game’s VAR referee was reviewing the incident for possible contact by Naeher of the player instead of the ball. Soon, the field referee was summoned to the review screen. She agreed with the VAR guru and a yellow card was issued to Naeher, then a penalty kick was awarded to an ecstatic band of Canadians.

Andianna Leon was selected to discharge the kick, and did she ever. Leon blasted the ball to the right, while Naeher went airborne to the left.

Onward to the penalty shootout.

First up to spot was cool-as-Ball Arena ice, Sophia Smith. The Coloradan drilled the ball into the lower left corner, and was forgiven for her missed PK in Australia, during the Round of 16 of the Women’s World Cup Tournament. 

Naeher stopped Canada’s first attempt, then the hero of the match scored on the Yanks third penalty kick, after Korbin Albert booted the ball over the crossbar.

Horan, who missed three header attempts during the game, took three deep breaths then slotted the ball into the back of the net. Naeher followed by making her third save and the home team super-celebrated.

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)

That was all that was needed for the Americans to clinch an invitation to play Brazil in this exciting inaugural tournament. Both teams now advance to the tournament’s championship match this Sunday. Brazil shutout a fiery Mexico, 3-nil prior to the U.S.-Canada showdown. The winner collects $1 million US in prize money with $500,000 to the runner-up.

Postgame, a relieved Sophia Smith expressed both her feelings of job satisfaction and frank emotions.

Photo Credit: John Babiak

Thank you for reading Burgundy Wave. If you want to support us, join our Patreon starting at $5/month. Also, we’re always looking for new talent to contribute to the site, develop, and give opportunities to. If you’re interested in covering Colorado Soccer in any way, let us know.