U.S. ends Canadian women's Gold Cup run in penalty kick shootout

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher made three saves and converted a penalty herself in a shootout after a rain-soaked 2-2 draw with Canada on Wednesday night, earning the United States a spot in the CONCACAF Women's Gold Cup final. The U.S. advanced 3-1 on penalties and will play Brazil in the title game Sunday evening. Brazil blanked Mexico 3-0 in the earlier semifinal match.

The game was a sloppy mess with standing water on the field at Snapdragon Stadium from heavy rain in San Diego.

Afterward, U.S. coach Twila Kilgore was asked whether the game should have been played.

“Probably not. But those decisions aren't my decisions,” she said. “If the referees make those decisions, and the game goes on, it's our job to figure out how to win.”

Jaedyn Shaw scored in the 20th minute. A Canada defender tried to send the ball back to goalkeeper Kailen Sheridan, but it stopped on the waterlogged field and Shaw ran up on it and scored.

Shaw is the first U.S. player to score in each of her first four starts.

Jordyn Huitema tied it up for Canada in the 82nd minute with a header that was beyond Naeher's reach.

Sophia Smith of the U.S. broke the stalemate in the 99th, falling to her knees in celebration before she was mobbed by her teammates. But Naeher collided with Vanessa Gilles in the 120th minute and Canada was awarded a penalty, which Adriana Leon calmly converted to tie the match at 2-2.

Naeher had two saves to open the shootout, then converted on a penalty of her own. She stopped Jesse Fleming with a final save to send the U.S. team to the title match.

With Brazil's victory, the U.S. was denied a match against Mexico, which pulled off the biggest upset of the group stage in downing the Americans 2-0. It was just the second time the U.S. had lost to their southern neighbours in 43 meetings.

It was Canada's first major tournament without captain Christine Sinclair, who retired from the national team last year.

The tournament was the first women's Gold Cup, designed to give teams in the region meaningful competition. Four of the teams that participated — the U.S., Canada, Brazil and Colombia — will play in the Paris Olympics.