The focal point of discussion during the US women’s soccer team’s penalty shootout triumph over Canada in the W Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday was the wet conditions. The match took place at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego on a severely waterlogged pitch, influenced by heavy rainfall prior to the game. Extensive areas of standing water significantly impacted the ball’s movement and hindered players’ ability to maneuver it at pace. This followed the snowy conditions witnessed during the Real Salt Lake and LAFC match over the weekend, further fueling controversy surrounding field conditions.
During the match, players continuously grappled with the challenging conditions as the ball frequently got stuck in the water, disrupting the flow of the game and making it exceedingly difficult to maintain any rhythm.
Despite the challenging conditions, the game was filled with action, ending 2-2 after extra time before the US claimed a 3-1 victory in the penalty shootout.
US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher played a crucial role, saving three Canadian penalties and scoring one herself, propelling her team into the final of the W Gold Cup. They will face Brazil, who defeated Mexico 3-0 in the semifinals.
Shaw capitalized on the waterlogged pitch to score first, making her the first US women’s player to score in each of her first four starts. Jordyn Huitema equalized for Canada late in regular time, forcing the match into extra time.
Sophia Smith regained the lead for the US during extra time, but Adriana Leon leveled the score once more, this time from a penalty, just three minutes before the end, sending the game to a shootout.
Share your thoughts