The U.S. women’s national team were crowned the 2024 SheBelieves Cup champions after defeating Canada in Columbus on Tuesday.
After facing off against Canada in the W Gold Cup semifinals last March and defeating The Maples through penalties, both national teams were to meet once again in hopes of winning a trophy.
The first occasion of the game came minutes before the end of the first half, with a surprising error from veteran American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher leading the way for Canada’s opener.
The USWNT keeper came out of her box, causing a rebound that left Adriana Leon a clear shot on goal without a set of hands to stop it.
Canada strike first against the USWNT in the SheBelieves Cup final
Watch the match on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/jV3ohdXofv— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 9, 2024
It wasn’t until the start of the second half when a beautiful body feint from Sophia Smith, followed by a long-range shot from outside the box, hit Canada’s net to set the equalizer.
Sophia Smith levels things from
Watch the match on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/JeXleTlzNY— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 10, 2024
18 minutes later, an amazing sequence from the Americans from their own half ended in yet another great Smith goal to double her night’s tally and seal the USWNT’s comeback.
SOPHIA SMITH. AGAIN
Watch the match on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/lQqJ7HGxRl— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 10, 2024
It was all sunshine and rainbows for the Stars and Stripes.
However, and similarly to their semifinal clash last March, Canada were awarded a penalty in the closing minutes of the game and did not pass up on the opportunity to put everything level once again. Adriana Leon also sealed her brace.
Canada equalize late from the spot
Watch the match on TBS and Max pic.twitter.com/wuX4BLeybd— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 10, 2024
This result (again, like in March) sent the game to a penalty shoot-out.
The penalty shoot-out saw multiple misses from the spot but with the USWNT’s Gold Cup superhero coming up big once again.
Alyssa Naeher made a total of three saves in the shoot-out, haunting Canada once again in the search for a title and leading the U.S. to victory. Emily Fox scored the winning penalty.
All in succession:
▪️ Saves a penalty
▪️ Converts a penalty
▪️ Saves another penaltyALYSSA NAEHER pic.twitter.com/EekXuSD5eJ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 10, 2024
The moment the USWNT won the SheBelieves Cup pic.twitter.com/b3fD9CDVg4
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 10, 2024
This is the USWNT's seventh SheBelieves Cup title and fifth tournament conquest in-a-row.
YOUR @Visa SheBelieves Cup MVP: @sophsssmith pic.twitter.com/TbqIZTy7YV
— U.S. Women's National Soccer Team (@USWNT) April 10, 2024
THE USWNT WIN THE SHEBELIEVES CUP FOR THE SEVENTH TIME pic.twitter.com/tewEBvGFGc
— B/R Football (@brfootball) April 10, 2024
This win marks the end of Twila Kilgore’s era as USWNT interim manager, with soon-to-be head coach Emma Hayes taking over at the seat in June.
