Team USA advances to 2023 Gold Cup semifinals.
CINCINNATI (July 9, 2023) – Following a dramatic 2-2 draw in extra time, the U.S. Men’s National Team utilized two penalty kick saves from Matt Turner to defeat Canada 3-2 in a shootout before a raucous 24,979 fans at TQL Stadium. With the win, the USMNT advances to face Panama in the 2023 Concacaf Gold Cup Semifinals on Wednesday, July 12 at SnapDragon Stadium in San Diego, Calif.
In a disjointed first half defined by tension and caution, the USA carved out the first chance when a Julian Gressel corner kick in the 26th minute bounced dangerously around the Canadian penalty area. Jesús Ferreira – hunting his seventh goal in three games at this Gold Cup – pounced on the loose ball eight yards from goal and shot on the turn. His effort was blocked by sprawling Canadian midfielder Jonathan Osorio.
Canada’s best chance of the first half came three minutes into the 12 minutes of stoppage time. The U.S. defense stumbled to open space up the right flank for forward Junior Hoilett, whose low cross was turned over the crossbar by U.S. defender Bryan Reynolds.
After a near scoreless phase of regular time, the USMNT grabbed an 88th-minute lead via a signature header from second-half substitute Brandon Vazquez, playing front of his FC Cincinnati home fans. The advantage slipped away four minutes later in second-half stoppage time when a penalty kick from Canadian defender Steven Vitoria sent the game into extra time. Canada took the lead in extra time as forward Jacob Shaffelburg found the back of the net in the 109th minute, only for U.S. midfielder Gianluca Busio to force an own goal off Canada’s Scott Kennedy five minutes later.
With the score tied at 2-2 after extra time, a penalty shootout was needed to send its winner to the semifinals. U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner saved the first two Canadian kicks from Vitoria and midfielder Liam Fraser. While Vazquez put his opening attempt over the bar, forward Cade Cowell, Busio and Ferreira all hit the net. The game ended when forward Charles-Andreas Brym hit the crossbar with the final Canada attempt, triggering huge celebrations as the U.S. advanced to its 16th Gold Cup semifinal.
source: USA Soccer communications
