COLUMBUS, Ohio — Alyssa Naeher made three saves in a penalty kick shootout and converted her own attempt to lead the U.S. women’s soccer team past Canada on Tuesday night in the final of the SheBelieves Cup, the Americans’ fifth consecutive title in the event.
The U.S. won the shootout 5-4 after the rivals played to a 2-2 draw in regulation. Emily Fox scored the decisive goal in the seventh round of the shootout after Naeher stopped Evelyne Viens.
Sophia Smith scored both U.S. goals. Her first tied the score at 1-all in the 50th minute. Her second put the Americans ahead 2-1 in the 68th off a cross from Trinity Rodman, who was subbed in only minutes before.
Adriana Leon scored twice for Canada. She made it 1-0 in the 40th minute, and tied the score at 2-all when she converted a penalty in the 86th.
It was the 66th meeting between between the teams, with the U.S. leading the series 54-4-8. The last meeting was last month in the CONCACAF Gold Cup, with the Americans advancing to the final on penalty shots after a rain-soaked 2-2 draw. Naeher also made three saves and converted a penalty in that match.
“It’s just incredible to watch and be here live, and know how prepared she is,” interim U.S. coach Twila Kilgore said. “I mean, she is prepared for every PK she could possibly face.”
The SheBelieves Cup matches were the last for the team under Kilgore. Emma Hayes, currently ending her coaching duties with England’s Chelsea, is set to take over for the next two games on the schedule, exhibitions against South Korea in June. Kilgore, who had an 11-1-2 record during her time in charge, will remain on Hayes’ staff.
Kilgore led the team to a 10-1-3 record after taking over for Vlatko Andonovski, who departed after the U.S. was eliminated in the Round of 16 at the Women’s World Cup last summer.
“I just think this team needed to regroup a little bit and focus on the things we felt would get us ready (for the Olympics) and get back to who we really are, get back to our DNA and also make sure that we’re evolving,” Kilgore said. “This team really wanted to evolve. Everything you see on the pitch is all credit to the players.”
Canada’s opening SheBelieves Cup match against Brazil also ended with a penalty shootout.
“In penalties we have a thorough process,” Canada coach Bev Priestman said. “At the end of the day, when you’ve got a full stadium cheering for the goalkeeper you’re going up against, nerves can be affected no matter what the staff say and what they do in training.”
Mallory Swanson, who started in the Americans’ 2-1 victory over Japan in the SheBelieves opener on Saturday, came on as a substitute to start the second half. Swanson was sidelined for a year after injuring her patellar tendon during an exhibition against Ireland last year. The injury kept her out of last summer’s Women’s World Cup.
Naomi Girma did not play after she was subbed off in the first half of the opener with an apparent thigh injury.
Korbin Albert made her second straight appearance as a substitute following a controversy over past social media posts. The 20-year-old, who plays for Paris Saint-Germain, had reposted anti-LGBTQ+ content on her TikTok account.
Albert apologized, saying “liking and sharing posts that are offensive, insensitive and hurtful was immature and disrespectful which was never my intent.”
Alex Morgan addressed the issue last week, noting the team was handling it internally. The U.S. Women’s National Team Players Association issued a statement earlier Tuesday.
“The women’s soccer community is one of joy, excitement, kindness and love. We have worked to ensure our community is safe, inclusive and welcoming to everyone. As allies and members of the LGBTQIA+ community, those efforts will not stop,” the statement said.
Brazil took third place, beating Japan, 3-0, in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in the earlier match at Lower.com Field. Goalkeeper Lorena saved all three penalty attempts by Japan.
All four teams that played in the SheBelieves Cup have qualified for the Paris Olympics this summer.
An EPIC Final in Columbus 🏆
SheBelieves Cup, presented by @Visa pic.twitter.com/HBRWkHBwb7
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 10, 2024
SOPH EQUALIZES!!!! #USWNT x @vw pic.twitter.com/m7CfgN2JtS
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 10, 2024
