USWNT advance to W Gold Cup final by weathering rain storm in unplayable conditions

It was a game that had it all as a penalty shootout decided a crazy 120-minute affair

SAN DIEGO — It hardly ever rains in San Diego, averaging around 10 inches a year, but the weather had other plans for the 2024 Concacaf semifinal between the United States and Canada on Wednesday night. The conditions weren't ideal at Snapdragon Stadium in a match former USWNT players wanted called off due to safety concerns, but in the end, a 2-2 extra time draw then saw the Americans win in a penalty shootout, 3-1, with Alyssa Naeher as the hero. The U.S. will face Brazil in Sunday's final.

It was a Sophia Smith goal in the first half of extra time, capitalizing on a header through ball from Rose Lavelle, that looked to have clinched the berth in the title match before Alyssa Naeher's clumsy play on a long ball in the final minutes resulted in a penalty kick that Adriana Leon put away with precision and pace.

In the penalties, with the memories of World Cup round of 16 elimination to Sweden surely on their minds, Naeher got her redemption. The veteran saved the first two penalties she faced, stopping three overall, and she converted one herself to help put her team into the final.