Penn State Women’s Soccer Alumna Alyssa Naeher Shines For USWNT In Gold Cup Semifinal
Former Penn State women’s soccer goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saved three penalty kicks and converted one of her own in the United States Women’s National Team’s (USWNT) penalty kick victory over Canada in the Gold Cup semifinal Wednesday night in San Diego.
The USWNT, anchored by Naeher in goal and Nittany Lion Sam Coffey in the midfield, took an early lead over Canada by way of a goal from Jaedyn Shaw in the 20th minute. The Americans led for the majority of the rainy-conditioned game until the 82nd minute when Canada and Jordyn Huitema tallied an equalizer.
USWNT forward Sophia Smith claimed the lead in the 99th minute after entering extra time, but a penalty kick was awarded to Canada in the final minute of overtime as Naeher departed the goal line to save a floating cross and collided with Adriana Leon in the penalty box.
A video review granted Canada a regulation penalty kick in the 120th minute, which Leon converted to send the game to penalty kicks to decide the game.
Smith converted the USWNT’s first penalty kick — redemption from her wide attempt in the team’s penalty kick World Cup loss to Sweden in 2023.
Naeher then stepped between the pipes to field an attempt by Leon once more in the first round of kicks. Leon’s 12-yard kick was deflected by Naeher and away from goal to preserve the USWNT’s clean sheet.
American midfielder Korbin Albert sailed her shot high of the net, while Canadian forward Huitema’s attempt was blocked and saved by Naeher in back-to-back kicks.
In the third round, goalkeeper Naeher approached the spot to take the team’s kick and launched a heavy-weighted ball to the side netting before returning to the goal line herself.
Midfielder Quinn converted her shot to close the third round of kicks with the USWNT leading 2-1.
Captain Lindsey Horan buried her penalty kick in the back of the net, then Naeher tallied her third penalty kick save with a diving redirection of Jessie Fleming’s shot to send the USWNT to the Gold Cup final.
Following the team’s Round of 16 loss to Sweden by way of penalty kicks in the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup, the gritty victory is extremely meaningful for the team amid a transition of players, staff, and culture.
“This is two big mentality games back to back, and that’s a statement, regardless of how the game was played or how it ended up, and that’s important,” interim USWNT head coach Twila Kilgore said postgame.
Now, Naeher, Kilgore, and the team will face Brazil in the Gold Cup final at 8:15 p.m. on Sunday, March 10, in San Diego.
Naeher, a seasoned team veteran and two-time World Cup Champion, will lead the defense in the 2024 Paris Olympic Games, too. The USWNT most recently earned a bronze medal at the 2020 Olympics after it was eliminated by Canada in the semifinal.
