Canada vs USWNT summary: score, goals and highlights | CONCACAF W Gold Cup 2024

Watch: Naeher's match-clinching save

In 2021, it was Jessie Fleming's spot-kick that beat the USWNT in the semi-finals of the Tokyo Olympics.

This time, however, the skipper's penalty miss sealed Canadian defeat.

"Heads up, Canada"

"Fought hard" really is an understatement. Bev Priestman's side showed tremendous, tremendous staying power.

Amazing Alyssa

The USWNT players can be heard chanting Alyssa Naeher's name, and well they might.

Winning her 101st cap, Naeher was fabulous in that shootout. Having given away the penalty that allowed the Canadians to level right at the death in extra time, she has produced a truly clutch response.

Fleming's kick is saved! The USWNT win the shootout!

Naeher gets down to parry once more, and it's all over! She's saved three kicks in this shootout, and the USWNT are through to Sunday's final against Brazil!

Huitema can't score her penalty either! Canada 0-1 USWNT

Huitema has the chance to level for Canada in this shootout, but Naeher beats her kick out!

Albert also misses! Canada 0-1 USWNT

Albert blazes over for the US!

Leon's penalty is saved! Canada 0-1 USWNT

Leon, who has just buried one spot-kick, now fails from the spot! She sends her strike the other way, and Naeher parries!

So, here we go with the shootout. Sophia Smith will take the first kick for the USWNT.

Canada are making a substitution before the shootout, by the way. Zadorsky is on and, one would imagine, will take a penalty.

I doff my cap to the Canadians. They have refused to die.

And what composure from Leon.

And that is that! Leon's coolly-taken penalty takes us to spot-kicks!

Leon is now on six goals at the W Gold Cup, by the way. She goes out on her own at the top of the scoring charts.

Penalty given! What drama!

Canada have the chance to take this to a shootout with the last kick of the game!

And Naeher is booked.

Hold on, hold on...

We're going to have a VAR check for a possible penalty. The question is: did Naeher foul Gilles?

Oh wow, that's a full-blooded collision - and Canada aren't far away from a late, late equaliser!

The ball is lofted high into the US area, where Gilles and Naeher both attack it, with no quarter given. Gilles gets to it first, but heads a couple of yards wide - and she and the keeper then smack into one another.

They're both left down in a heap, but are then back up...

There'll be one minute of time added on.

From the left, Fleming loops a ball into the US area, where Huitema gets her head to it - but can't get enough power on it.

Leon, whose face is covered in mud, sends in a throw-in from the left. From the edge of the box, Gilles almost puts Huitema in with a lovely little flick... but the forward can't quite reach it.

It looks like Midge Purce is going to be introduced for the US for these final moments.

Williams tries to flick Smith into the box on the right, but Gilles is there first.

She hoofs it clear, and the camera pans in on her wearisome expression. It's not a night she'll remember fondly - barring a turnaround in the final few minutes.

If it stays this way, the USWNT will have prevailed in 13 out of 14 knockout meetings between these two countries.

Eight minutes stand between Twila Kilgore's team and Sunday's final.

Again Larisey and Huitema are involved, the former's high ball finding the latter at the back of the box.

Huitema nods it down towards Leon on the penalty spot, but she can't control.

That's a shame for Canada. Larisey looks very bright on the right wing, cutting in neatly before zipping a pass into Huitema's run into the USWNT box.

Huitema is well placed to control and turn it across goal... but her first touch is heavy. It runs out of play for a goal-kick.

The pitch is definitely in a better state, but it's still putting the kibosh on promising attacks.

Sophia Smith advances towards the Canada box and looks to slip it right to Williams, who is in space to run at the Canucks. Normally, her pass would have been weighted just fine; today, though, it gets held up. Canada clear.

Peeeep! We're into the final 15 minutes at Snapdragon Stadium.

Canada bring on Clarissa Larisey for Clarke.

Peeeep! That's half time in extra time.

The USWNT are 15 minutes away from their 54th win over Canada, and a W Gold Cup final against Brazil.

Leon tries to bring a bouncing ball under her spell on the corner of the USWNT box, but she's muscled off it.

There'll be two minutes of additional time at the end of this first period.

Oh, that's a very decent chance for the USWNT to pretty much put themselves out of sight.

Lavelle whips over a right-wing corner that arrows right onto Horan's head at the near post. Horan can't quite direct it properly, though; it drops just past Sheridan's left-hand upright.

What will Canada's response be?

Having taken so long to get back on terms, they now have rather less time to do so for a second occasion.

Huitema is back on for the time being.

Huitema has hurt her shoulder and is leaving the field with Canada's medics for some treatment.

She's made a real impact; it would be a huge blow to the Canadians if she couldn't continue.

A few times now, the ball has run through to Gilles in a position where, under normal circs, she would play it back to the keeper.

Each time, you can almost see her thinking: nope, not doing that again.

Smith is immediately into the action. She turns and scampers forward towards the USWNT box, before slipping it left to Viens.

For a moment, Viens is in behind the US defence... but the ball gets tangled up in her feet, not helped by the wet conditions. The chance is lost.

Peeep! Extra time is go!

In the wake of that Huitema leveller, Canada had delayed the introduction of Olivia Smith.

She now comes on, with Buchanan making way.

Peeep peeep peeep! Into extra time we go.

Canada were so much more dangerous in those closing stages. The momentum is with Bev Priestman's side right now.

A corner for Canada, which Leon will take. Can they snatch a last-gasp winner?

They cannot. Gilles heads Leon's delivery back into the danger area, where Girma heads away. The Canadians come back at the US, but Huitema can't bring Fleming's ball into the box under control.

This is only the second time in the teams' last seven meetings that Canada have managed to score.

The other, of course, was their Olympic semi-final win in 2021.

Viens is almost in for a second when Quinn lifts a neat ball over the top for her fellow substitute to chase, but Naeher darts off her line and clears.

Leon is booked after a late lunge on Fox.

That, by my count, is the first yellow card of the night.

We'll have six minutes of time added on at the end of this second half.

They almost do!

Lavelle's corner is flicked on at the near post, and flies through to Albert at the back stick. Albert has her back to goal, though, and can't direct the ball over the line! Canada survive.

Albert shoots from 25 yards out, but her strike is deflected behind for a corner.

Can the US hit right back with a winner?

The USWNT react to that Canada equaliser by shuffling their pack.

Coffey is off, with Emily Sonnett on in her stead.

So, extra time it is...?

Canada are about to bring on Olivia Smith.

Time is running out for Bev Priestman's side. They really don't look like scoring.

The USWNT win a free-kick on the right, which Coffey will deliver.

Her ball into the area is hit at pace towards the back post, where Sheridan does well to come off her line and claim.

The US are just over 10 minutes, plus stoppage time, away from a final date with Brazil.

Gilles almost has another nightmare when her clearance rebounds off Smith and into the open space in the Canada half. Sheridan is quickly out to clear the danger, however.

The pitch is definitely in better shape now, but there are still areas where the ball gets held up. 

Smith plays a neat first-time ball out to the left for Lavelle, who is in a nice spot of dry(ish) grass and has space to pick out a cross.

She can't find anyone in a white shirt, though

The USWNT replace Morgan, who gets a huge ovation, with Rose Lavelle.

Canada win a free-kick in a promising position, deep in the left-hand channel. Set pieces like this, you have to feel, represent their best chance of snatching a leveller. 

Well... they do if the delivery is any good.

Leon shanks it long and out for a goal-kick.

A double change for Canada: Quinn is on for Lacasse, and Viens is on for Deanne Rose.

Viens, you'll remember, was the Canucks' match winner against Costa Rica in the last round.

Leon delivers a corner, driving it into the danger area at pace. The USWNT deal with it, but Canada come back at the four-time world champions.

Gilles gets two goes at sending in a cross from the right. Her first is blocked; her second is right into Naeher's arms.

I'm really not convinced Canada can find a goal here. Not helped by the conditions, of course, they look very blunt.

That's Rodman's final involvement in this semi-final. She makes way for Sophia Smith.

Leon gives chase to a hopeful long ball forward, but Naeher is quickly off her line and grabs hold.

At the other end, Rodman darts into the Canada box on the right, but he cut-back is to close to Sheridan.

After a couple of minutes in discussion with a pair of medics, Sheridan is back on her feet. For now, at least, she'll be carrying on.

The USWNT are readying another change.

Ah, Canada may have to change their keeper here. Sheridan is down and in need of medical attention; it's not immediately clear what's wrong with her.

Here is that substitution for Canada. Huitema, a forward, is on for a midfielder in Awujo.

After that change is made, Nighswonger gets her head to Coffey's corner at the far post, but can't get enough on it. Canada clear.

Canada are preparing to bring on Jordyn Huitema.

In certain areas, at least, the pitch seems to be draining and drying up a bit. It looks like the rain is no longer falling.

We might actually get some football!

There's a fine chance for Horan, but she heads just wide!

Williams chases down a ball on the right, before whipping in a fine cross to Horan at the near post. She rises highest to meet it, but can't direct it into the corner. 

That's a real let-off for Canada.

Looked like a pen to me... but hey ho. Davidson maybe got a little bit of ball, but she also got a lot of foot.

Oh, hold on... Fleming takes a tumble in the penalty box, and we're going to have a video review of that one.

Davidson loses control of the ball just inside the USWNT area, allowing Fleming to nip and take it off her toes. Davidson seems to catch the Canada captain, who falls theatrically... but in the end, no spot-kick is given.

García appears to find a quick solution to the problem this time, and we are soon underway once more.

Right away, we have to stop again: referee Katia García's headset is clearly still not working properly.

Confirmation of those USWNT substitutions: Williams and Krueger are on for Nighswonger and Shaw.

No changes for Canada at half time.

Peeeep! We're back underway.

OK, now the players are back on the field and we're about to get back underway.

Lynn Williams and Casey Krueger are going to come on for the USWNT.

The teams are back out in San Diego, where it looks like the USWNT are going to make a double change.

Well... I say the players are back out, but now they have been called off the field. 

I think it's just as the officials replace/fix their headsets. I don't know if the wet conditions have caused them to go haywire.

Canada's Vanessa Gilles (14) and the USNWT's Jaedyn Shaw (8) chase after the ball in the first half in San Diego.

San Diego the setting for Sunday's final

A reminder that tonight's winner will progress to the inaugural W Gold Cup final, also at Snapdragon Stadium, on Sunday 10 March.

Brazil await in the trophy decider, which is scheduled to kick off at 8:15pm ET/5:15pm PT.

Mercifully, we will have no third-place playoff. 

Sodden Snapdragon

It's so wet in San Diego that this pitch is borderline unplayable.

Just ask Alex Morgan and Vanessa Gilles, who were both treated to an early bath when they went in for this challenge.

Peeep peeep peeep! That's half time.

What can you really say about that half of football? It wasn't pretty, but there was no way it could be.

Shaw's goal, capitalising on Gilles' fateful backpass, is the difference.

Two minutes of time added on in San Diego.

Coffey lifts it forward to Morgan, but the forward is coming back from an offside position and doesn't even bother chasing it.

It's a real shame that this contest is so heavily adulterated by the conditions, to be honest.

Forward come Canada. Can they find an equaliser before half time?

Lawrence feeds it right to Deanne Rose, who just about digs out a cross - but can't find a red shirt. 

The Canadians win it straight back, and this time it's Owujo who delivers from the right. She pings a decent-looking ball towards the head of Leon, but she can't connect.

Coffey delivers deep to the back post, where Canada get behind for a second corner.

Coffey again takes, this time from the right, and delivers right onto Horan's head. 

Horan has enough space to get a firm header away, but can only nod weakly into Sheridan's arms.

Rodman drives forward on the left, forcing a fine challenge by Jade Rose.

A corner for the USWNT.

Horan cuts in from the right and tries to slip an angled ball into the run of Shaw, who's looking for it in the right-hand channel.

The water holds up Horan's ball, but the US win it back. Shaw gets her head up and attempts to feed the ball back out to the wing, but her pass also stops dead in the water.

Here is that Shaw opener. You really do have to feel sorry for Gilles.

Now it's Horan's turn to think she might be in, before being denied by the pitch.

It's another lofted ball forward by the US - which certainly seems like the way to go. Horan collects, turns and advances into the Canada box, but is dispossessed by a puddle.

Not much to report right now. The ball spends a good while in the middle of the park; the teams are really struggling to get it under control.

Nighswonger has clearly taken note of the danger of the backpass today.

Canada lift it forward down the right wing, but the USWNT full-back is there to the ball first. With Lawrence giving chase, Nighswonger visibly has a think about trying to play it back to Naeher, before deciding: sod that. She instead lumps it straight out of play.

That's Shaw's fourth goal at the W Gold Cup, by the way. She's just one off the top of the goal charts.

Today is not the day for backpasses to the keeper. Gilles has learned that the hard way.

Leon, remember, is the tournament's joint-top scorer, together with Mexico's Lizbeth Ovalle. She has five goals so far.

At one end, Morgan chases another long through ball, which again gets held up in a puddle.

Canada clear, working it forward to Deanne Rose on the edge of the US box. She slips it square to Leon, who drops a shoulder and tries to wriggle her way into a yard of space to get a shot away. 

However, the tournament's joint-top scorer finally opts to push it wide to the left... and knocks it straight out of play.

Lacasse does well to swivel in the right-hand corner, before whipping a ball into Deanne Rose at the near post. 

It's a decent opening for Rose, but she gets her volley all wrong and the chance is lost.

Again the US create an opportunity which, normally, they may well have gobbled up.

A long ball meets Morgan's run into the area, where she tries to show her marker a clean pair of heels and advance into a shooting position. The wet pitch has other ideas, though.

Oh, my.

Just as I was about to say that the Canadians have settled better on this sodden bog of a pitch, Awujo's wayward backpass sends Rodman clear, in behind the Canucks' defence.

Under normal conditions, she would have raced in on Sheridan. However, the ball gets stuck in a puddle and she loses it. Comedy stuff.

From the right, Lawrence whips a cross into the USWNT box, but the Americans clear.

Back come the Canadians, though, Deanne Rose driving into the danger area before Nighswonger and Davidson do just enough to put her off. Because of the wet grass, Rose lost her footing somewhat, and lost control of the ball.

These conditions are likely to preclude any kind of flowing football tonight. It's so boggy.

Canada get their first sight on goal.

From way out, Jessie Fleming trues to test Naeher, but loops tamely hit strike right into the goalkeeper's arms.

My god, the pitch is bordering on waterlogged. The ball is barely travelling forward along this wet field of play.

Right away, the USWNT win a corner.

Coffey takes, but Mexican referee Katia García blows for a foul by a US attacker. Against Alex Morgan, I think.

Peeeeep! We're underway in San Diego!

Last look at the line-ups

That's the anthems done - it's pretty much time to go. Here's a final reminder of the two teams:

Canada:

Sheridan, J. Rose, Gilles, Buchanan, Lawrence, Fleming, Awujo, Carle, D. Rose, Leon, Lacasse

USWNT:

Naeher, Fox, Girma, Davidson, Nighswonger, Albert, Coffey, Rodman, Horan, Shaw, Morgan

Teams out!

The two sets of players have now made their way out onto the field at Snapdragon Stadium. Blimey it's wet.

Anthem time: Canada first.

Closing in on kick-off!

The teams are in the tunnel in San Diego, where it's horrible weather: really wet.

Just minutes to go until kick-off.

USWNT vs South Korea: confirmed dates

The USWNT are to face the Koreans in Commerce City, Colorado, on 1 June, before the teams play their second friendly in St Paul, Minnesota, on 4 June.

USWNT confirm Hayes' first games

Incidentally, US Soccer announced today that the USWNT are to play a June double header of friendlies against South Korea, in what will be Emma Hayes’ first games as the Americans’ new head coach.

Hayes, who is currently Chelsea boss, is to take over at the end of the European club season.

Kilgore, who has served as interim head coach since the World Cup, will revert to her previous role as assistant coach.

Warm-ups well underway at Snapdragon

We're 20 minutes out from kick-off in San Diego, where both teams have been busy limbering up.

In case you missed it: Brazil beat Mexico in today's first semi-final, so the Canadians and the Americans know that a W Gold Cup final against the Seleçao awaits the winner.

W GOLD CUP

Canada - USWNT: date, times, how to watch on TV, stream online | W Gold Cup

Should you be asking yourself how you can watch Canada vs the USWNT on TV or online, let me point you in the direction of our guide on where you can tune in.

History against Canadians in US knockout ties

That Olympics victory two and a half years ago was Canada's first ever gold medal in the Summer Games' women's soccer tournament.

Their win over the US was, however, the only time they have defeated the Stars and Stripes in 13 meetings in the knockout stages of a tournament.

Can Canada emulate Olympics win?

Canada may have avoided defeat just the once in their last seven meetings with the USWNT - but that sole occasion was a big one.

Indeed, it was the last time the teams met in the semi-finals of a major tournament.

Jessie Fleming’s goal gave the Canadians a 1-0 victory over the US in the last four of the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, before the Canucks went on to win the gold-medal match against Sweden.

When did Canada and the USWNT last meet?

The teams’ most recent meeting came almost exactly a year ago, in a SheBelieves Cup clash on 16 March 2023.

The USWNT were 2-0 winners in Orlando, thanks to a brace by Mallory Swanson.

Canada and USWNT: head to head

As I mentioned at the very start of this live feed, this will be the 65th all-time meeting between the USWNT and Canada.

Since the sides first met in 1986, it’s the US who have very much had the upper hand: the Stars and Stripes have won 53 and lost just four of their clashes against their North American neighbours.

That sterling record includes six wins in the teams’ last seven meetings.

Canada report for duty

Here's Canada's arrival at Snapdragon Stadium, courtesy of CONCACAF's social-media team.

Kilgore keeps faith, two changes for Canada

Bev Priestman makes two changes to the Canada side that began the quarter-final against Costa Rica, with Simisola Awujo and Deanne Rose returning to the Canucks’ XI. Quinn and Jordyn Huitema make way.

Meanwhile, the USWNT are unchanged from the team that so comprehensively dismantled Colombia.

Canada's confirmed line-up

Canada's line-up is also just out. Bev Priestman has gone with: Sheridan, J. Rose, Gilles, Buchanan, Lawrence, Fleming, Awujo, Carle, D. Rose, Leon, Lacasse.

USWNT confirmed line-up

Twila Kilgore's starting XI has just been announced. It is: Naeher, Fox, Girma, Davidson, Nighswonger, Albert, Coffey, Rodman, Horan, Shaw, Morgan.

Brazil book final berth

We now have confirmation that Brazil will be awaiting Canada or the USWNT in the final this weekend.

It has finished Brazil 3-0 Mexico at Snapdragon Stadium.

A reminder that the Brazilians' goals came courtesy of Adriana, Antónia and Yasmim.

USWNT's recent results - at a glance

3 March 2024: USWNT 3-0 Colombia
26 February 2024: USWNT 0-2 Mexico
23 February 2024: Argentina 0-4 USWNT
20 February 2024: USWNT 5-0 Dom. Rep.
5 December 2023: USWNT 2-1 China

US also clean sheet queens

When it comes to W Gold Cup clean sheets, the USWNT are only just behind Canada.

Twila Kilgore's side have managed shutouts in every game at the tournament but one - their surprise defeat to Mexico on matchday three of the group stage.

The 2-0 loss was the Americans' first home defeat to CONCACAF opposition since 2000.

USWNT check in at Snapdragon

Courtesy of US Soccer's social-media team, here are some pictures of the USWNT's arrival at Snapdragon Stadium.

We have an hour and a quarter to go until kick-off in San Diego - and team news is imminent.

Canada's recent results: at a glance

2 March 2024: Canada 1-0 Costa Rica (aet)
28 February 2024: Canada 3-0 Costa Rica
24 February 2024: Paraguay 0-4 Canada
22 February 2024: Canada 6-0 El Salvador
5 December 2023: Canada 1-0 Australia

Shutout specialists

And, in all competitions, Canada's streak of clean sheets now stretches back seven games.

The Canucks last conceded in a 1-0 friendly defeat to Brazil six months ago.

Canadians racking up goals - and clean sheets

Although Canada struggled to find a way through against Costa Rica on Sunday, the Canucks were - until a short while ago this evening - the W Gold Cup's top scorers. 

The defending Olympic champions have netted 14 goals at the W Gold Cup - fewer only than Brazil, whose three against Mexico have now taken them to 15.

What's more, Canada's hatful of goals has come without reply: they've kept four clean sheets in four Gold Cup games. They're the only team left yet to concede at the tournament.

Brazil brushing Mexicans aside

By the way, the W Gold Cup's first semi-final is deep into the second half in San Diego, where Brazil are strolling into the trophy decider.

Goals by Adriana, Antónia and Yasmim have the Seleçao 3-0 up on Mexico, with just under 20 minutes to go.

Trio of Canadians, two Americans in QFs' top team

Viens, incidentally, is one of three Canada players who made CONCACAF's 'team of the quarter-finals'. 

Jessie Fleming and Vanessa Gilles join the forward in a team that also includes two Americans - Lindsey Horan and Jenna Nighswonger.

The quarter-finals' ideal XI is as follows:

Daniela Solera (Costa Rica), Jenna Nighswonger (USWNT), Cristina Ferral (Mexico), Vanessa Gilles (Canada), Karen Luna (Mexico), Jessie Fleming (Canada), Lindsey Horan (USWNT), Yasmim (Brazil), Lizbeth Ovalle (Mexico), Evelyne Viens (Canada), Bia Zaneratto (Brazil).

Canada edge Las Ticas to make last four

For Canada, meanwhile, the quarter-finals proved altogether more of a slog. 

The Canucks had beaten Costa Rica 3-0 in the group stage, but when the sides met again in the last eight at the weekend, Bev Priestman’s side had to wait for extra time to find the breakthrough. 

Evelyne Viens’ 104th-minute winner finally ended the Costa Ricans’ resistance in Los Angeles.

US into semis after crushing Colombia

The tournament hosts absolutely breezed through the quarter-finals, dispatching Colombia with three first-half goals at Los Angeles’ BMO Stadium on Sunday.

Lindsey Horan opened the scoring with an early penalty, before goals by Jenna Nighswonger and Jaedyn Shaw wrapped up an easy win over a very disappointing Colombian team.

USWNT 3-0 Colombia: as it happened.

Canada vs USWNT live online: welcome!

Hello! In the second semi-final at the 2024 W Gold Cup, it's an all-North American affair. At Snapdragon Stadium, Canada and the USWNT meet for the 65th time, with a final against either Brazil or Mexico awaiting the winner.

Kick-off in San Diego is at 10:15pm ET/7:15pm PT.