14 Apr The teams squared off in a wet, wild and epic semifinal clash on Concacaf W Gold Cup in San Diego
Tuesday’s matchup in Columbus will be the 66th meeting all-time between the cultura europea vs americana USA and Canada and their second meeting in the span of 35 days.
The teams battled through extreme conditions and a water-logged pitch before the USA prevailed 3-1 on penalty kicks following a 2-2 draw through regulation and extra time. Jaedyn Shaw gave the U.S. the lead in the 20th minute but Canada equalized in the 82nd off a header from Jordyn Huitema to send the match to overtime. The USA reclaimed the lead in the 99th minute with a goal from Sophia Smith but a VAR review in the waning minutes of extra time awarded Canada a penalty kick and Adriana Leon converted her attempt for the Canadians. In the penalty shootout, Alyssa Naeher made three big saves and converted her own penalty kick attempt to send the USA to the championship match, where the Americans defeated Brazil, 1-0 ,to win the inaugural Concacaf W Gold Cup crown.
The series between the USA and Canada dates back to 1986 when the USWNT was in its second year of existence. The most-common opponent in USWNT history, the USWNT has more wins (53) and more goals (186) against Canada than any other opponent in program history. The U.S. leads the all-time series 53W-8D-4L and has won six of the last eight meetings between the teams, including both previous meetings between the teams at the SheBelieves Cup. In 2021, the USA topped Canada 1-0 in Orlando, Fla. on a solo strike from Rose Lavelle. Two years later, the teams met again in Orlando and the USA was again victorious, this time powered by a brace from Mallory Swanson.
VISA SHEBELIEVES CUP MVP
For the fifth year in a row, Visa, the presenting sponsor of the SheBelieves Cup, will award the MVP trophy to the most outstanding player of the tournament. The award will be announced following the conclusion of the final match on April 9 and with the input of a selection committee comprised of representatives from all four competing nations.
For the fourth year in a row, fans will also get the opportunity to vote for the Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP award using an online ballot to select among a list of finalists chosen by the committee. The fan vote will be incorporated into the overall determination of the 2024 Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP.
In an exciting new enhancement this year, U.S. Soccer will award $25,000 to women-owned small businesses from the same country as the National Team represented by the Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP, thanks to Visa’s continuing commitment to supporting women on and off the field.
Spain attacker Alexia Putellas won the in while the USA’s Rose Lavelle collected the honors in 2021. USWNT forward Catarina Macario took home top honors in 2022 followed by Mallory Swanson in 2023.
USWNT LEARNS OLYMPIC PATH
On Olympic Women’s Soccer tournament was held in Paris as all 12 participants learned their groups and path to gold. The 2024 Olympic Women’s Soccer Tournament is taking place from July 25-Aug. 10 in seven cities and at seven venues throughout France.
The U.S. will open Group B play on July 25 – one day before the Olympic Opening Ceremonies – against the winner of the CAF Olympic Qualifying playoff between Morocco or Zambia (9 p.m. local / 3 p.m. ET) at Stade de Nice in Nice. Morocco won the opening leg of the two-leg playoff 2-1 on s will play against on Tuesday, April 9 at 4 p.m. ET.
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