Penalty shootout pain for Canadian women
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Canada leaves the SheBelieves Cup with a runner-up medal and likely nightmares involving Alyssa Naeher.
The veteran U.S. goalkeeper, as she did last month against the Canadian women in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal, rose to the occasion in a 5-4 penalty shootout win over Canada in the SheBelieves Cup final Tuesday.
The fourth-ranked U.S. had seemed headed for a 2-1 comeback victory over ninth-ranked Canada thanks to two secondhalf goals by Sophia Smith.
But Trinidad and Tobago referee Crystal Sobers pointed to the spot after veteran Crystal Dunn took down Adriana Leon in the American penalty box. Leon, who had scored in the first half, stepped up and beat Naeher in the 86th minute for her 39th goal in 118 U.S. appearances.
Jessie Fleming, Leon, Julia Grosso and Ashley Lawrence scored for Canada in the shootout. Naeher stopped Jade Rose, Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens.
Smith, Naeher, Lindsey Horan, Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Fox scored from the spot for the U.S. Kailen Sheridan stopped Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett, with a chance to win it for the U.S., sent the ball over the crossbar.
Dahlkemper had to score to keep the Americans in it in the sixth round. She did and, after Naeher stopped Viens in the seventh round, Fox beat Sheridan for the 5-4 win.
“I’m proud of the group,” said Canada coach Bev Priestman. “[We had] some key players out. People stepped up and we took it to the wire. … It was a great game.”
“I did think that there were moments that looked really really bright. I would just like to see more of them,” she added.
In the earlier game Tuesday at Lower.com Field, No. 10 Brazil defeated No. 7 Japan 3-1 in a penalty shootout after the game finished tied at 1-1. Brazilian ‘keeper Lorena saved all three penalties she faced.
The Canadians had dispatched Brazil 4-2 in a penalty shootout in Saturday’s semifinal at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The U.S. downed Japan 2-1.
The American women have now won seven of the nine editions of the SheBelieves Cup, including five straight. The U.S. was runner-up to England in 2019 and finished fourth in 2017 when France won.