Last time the USWNT faced Canada just over a month ago in the inaugural W Gold Cup Semifinal, the two teams fought through a monsoon at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego with the Americans emerging victorious in a penalty shootout after a 2-2 draw in regulation.
This time, the field was playable, but the full-time result was no different as the two sides headed to penalties level at two goals apiece. As if written in the stars, Alyssa Naeher replicated her heroic W Gold Cup performance to win the United States its fifth-consecutive SheBelieves title.
Contrary to the tournament opener, the USWNT began on the front foot in Columbus with a slower start to the match. Rather than growing into the game as they did against Japan, however, Canada gained a foothold as the opening half progressed. The Americans’ 63% possession in the first stanza was heavily stat-padded by passes between the central defenders while Canada did a stellar job of denying entry into midfield before going direct whenever they won the ball.
Canada’s goal came from a direct ball as such which Naeher curiously came out to the edge of her box to challenge. Failing to win the ball, she left her net open for Canada to pass the ball into the back of. Despite playing the majority of the half in a defensive structure, Canada went into halftime with more shots, more shots on target, and a 1-0 lead.
Part of the issue for the USWNT was a lack of ball progression through midfield, limiting creativity further up the pitch. Interim head coach Twila Kilgore adjusting to a starting double pivot of Sam Coffey and Emily Sonnett was likely to blame. Luckily Kilgore recognized her mistake, substituting Coffey at halftime for Mallory Swanson, returning Lindsey Horan to the double pivot alongside Sonnett and Shaw into the #10 position that she played against Japan. Immediately, the game changed.
Within minutes of the second-half kickoff, Shaw assisted the equalizer. Of course, Sophia Smith…
Source link : https://sbisoccer.com/2024/04/uswnt-lifts-fifth-straight-shebelieves-cup-with-shoutout-win-over-canada
Author : Justin Ruderman
Publish date : 2024-04-10 10:44:57
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