Â鶹´«Ã½

Skip to main content

Waterlogged pitch causes controversy as U.S. women's team beats Canada in penalty shootout to reach W Gold Cup final

United States' Alex Morgan, above, collides with Canada's Vanessa Gilles during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup women's soccer tournament semifinal match, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo / Gregory Bull) United States' Alex Morgan, above, collides with Canada's Vanessa Gilles during the first half of a CONCACAF Gold Cup women's soccer tournament semifinal match, Wednesday, March 6, 2024, in San Diego. (AP Photo / Gregory Bull)
Share

Wet conditions were the main talking point during the U.S. women’s soccer team’s penalty shootout victory over Canada in the W Gold Cup semifinals on Wednesday.

The game was played on a heavily waterlogged pitch at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego after torrential rain fell in the build up, with huge sections of standing water affecting the path of the ball and players' ability to run at pace with it at their feet.

Following the snowy conditions Real Salt Lake and LAFC played in over the weekend, the wet field in San Diego was once again a point of controversy.

Alyssa Naeher of the U.S. makes a save against Canada in the second half of the W Gold Cup semifinal. (Sean M. Haffey / Getty Images via CNN Newsource)

The tricky conditions were highlighted in the 11th minute when U.S. forward Trinity Rodman raced through on goal with only the keeper to beat, only for the ball to stop in the water and halt any goalscoring opportunity.

Just minutes later, the U.S. was a beneficiary of the conditions, when Canada defender Vanessa Gilles’ pass to goalkeeper Kaelin Sheridan stopped dramatically in the puddles, allowing Jaedyn Shaw to give the US the lead.

Throughout the encounter, players consistently struggled to come to terms with the conditions, with the ball holding up in the water and making it almost impossible to sustain any sense of flow to the game.

Former U.S. midfielder Julie Foudy heavily criticized the decision for the game to go ahead on social media, calling it “.â€

“Why isn’t CONCACAF calling this match. Play it (tomorrow). Someone is going to get hurt,†the two-time World Cup winner – formerly known as Twitter – also the hashtag ‘waterparkgame.’

After the game, Canada coach Bev Priestman echoed Foudy’s thoughts.

“It’s obvious that the game was unplayable,†Priestman said, . “We put in a lot of work in a game plan, and within minute one, it’s thrown out the window.â€

Priestman added: “I’m not going to make excuses as to was it fair, was it unfair. We played the game in front of us, both teams had to play on the conditions and it was who could adapt the most.â€

CNN has reached out to CONCACAF – the governing body for soccer in North America, Central America and the Caribbean – for comment.

There was no shortage of action though in the game, with the teams level 2-2 after extra-time before the US won 3-1 on penalties.

Shaw opened the scoring, taking advantage of the watery conditions to slot home, becoming the first U.S. women’s player ever to score in each of her first four starts. Jordyn Huitema leveled for Canada eight minutes from full-time to send the match to extra-time.

Sophia Smith gave the U.S. its second lead of the game in extra-time, only for Adriana Leon to level once again, this time from the penalty spot, three minutes from the end to send the game to a shootout.

US goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher proved to be the difference maker, saving three Canadian penalties and scoring her own to send her side into the final of the W Gold Cup where it will face Brazil, after the ³§±ð±ô±ðçã´Ç had beaten Mexico 3-0 in its semifinal.

The final will take place in Snapdragon Stadium on Sunday at 8:15 p.m. ET.

CTVNews.ca Top Stories

Debate gets testy as MPs consider confidence motion in PM Trudeau

MPs debated the first non-confidence motion of the fall House of Commons sitting today, seeing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre push once again for a snap election. But with votes secured to keep them afloat, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals were quick to turn the discussion into a referendum on the Conservative alternative.

A city councillor in British Columbia says an online mob of "extremists" and "politically motivated hackers" is responsible for uncovering and publicizing a photo of him wearing a blackface costume to a Halloween party in 2007.

After Ontario Premier Doug Ford made controversial comments about solutions to get people out of homeless encampments, advocates and members of the opposition spoke up on Tuesday.

Four puppies were found near County Road 21 in Essa Township after a passerby spotted one when it ran out of the ditch and onto the road.

We've all had neighbours we didn't like, but two people from Sault Ste. Marie have been awarded more than half a million dollars for the 'extreme' behaviour of the people who lived next to them.

Local Spotlight

Police are looking to the public for help after thieves broke into a Lethbridge ice creamery, stealing from the store.

An ordinary day on the job delivering mail in East Elmwood quickly turned dramatic for Canada Post letter carrier Jared Plourde. A woman on his route was calling out in distress.

Fire has destroyed a barn and 17,000 plants at a family-owned business in Lower Coverdale, N.B.

Before influencers on social media, Canada’s Jeanne Beker was bringing the world of high fashion down to earth and as Calgary’s Glenbow Museum gets a major make-over, it will include a new exhibition showcasing the pop culture icon.

A sea lion swam free after a rescue team disentangled it near Vancouver Island earlier this week.

A Nova Scotian YouTuber has launched a mini-truck bookmobile.

Cole Haas is more than just an avid fan of the F.W. Johnson Wildcats football team. He's a fixture on the sidelines, a source of encouragement, and a beloved member of the team.

Getting a photograph of a rainbow? Common. Getting a photo of a lightning strike? Rare. Getting a photo of both at the same time? Extremely rare, but it happened to a Manitoba photographer this week.

An anonymous business owner paid off the mortgage for a New Brunswick not-for-profit.

Stay Connected