Matt Turner made two crucial saves in the penalty shootout, propelling the United States to a 3-2 victory over Canada from 2-2 in regulation time in their CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal. The result secured a spot for the United States in the semifinals against Panama and marked their first shootout win since 2005.
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Brandon Vazquez gave the United States a 1-0 lead in the 88th minute, but Steven Vitoria equalized for Canada in stoppage time with a penalty kick following a handball by Miles Robinson. Jacob Shaffelburg then put Canada ahead in the 109th minute, only for an own goal by Canada’s Scott Kennedy to level the score at 2-2 in the 115th minute.
Turner made a critical save on Vitoria’s opening penalty kick, diving to his right and blocking the shot straight down the middle, just as he did during regular play. Vazquez, however, sent his attempt over the crossbar, while Turner dove to his left to deny Liam Fraser’s shot.
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Cade Cowell, Gianluca Busio, and Jesus Ferreira all successfully converted their penalties for the United States, while Kamal Miller and Jacen Russell-Rowe scored for Canada. Charles-Andreas Brym struck Canada’s final attempt against the crossbar.
The winner of the United States versus Panama match on Wednesday in San Diego will advance to the championship game on July 16. They will face either Mexico or Jamaica in Inglewood, California.
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With this win, the United States have now reached the Gold Cup semifinals for the 12th consecutive time. It was their first shootout since losing to Panama in the 2015 Gold Cup third-place game. They improved their penalty kick record to 5-4, including 5-2 in competitive matches. Their last shootout win dates back to the 2005 Gold Cup final against Panama.
Vazquez had initially given the United States the lead with a header from DeJuan Jones’ well-placed cross. Playing in his home stadium for Cincinnati, he scored his fourth international goal and third of the tournament. He came in in the 73rd minute.
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Vitoria equalised for Canada with his fifth international goal. Robinson was penalised for a handball after a video review showed the ball striking his arm while he was contesting Rowe. In the first-half of stoppage time, a similar incident involving Robinson’s arm was reviewed, but the referee chose not to award a penalty.
Shaffelburg then gave Canada the lead by capitalising on a loose ball near midfield and beating Ferreira. From inside the penalty area, he took a shot that deflected off defender Matt Miazga for his first international goal.
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The United States levelled when Turner launched the ball from midfield into the penalty area. Miazga headed the ball to Jordan Morris, who nodded it forward. Dayne St. Clair made a leg save on Busio’s shot, but the ball deflected off defender Kennedy and into the net as an own goal.
In the opening game of the day, Jamaica defeated Guatemala 1-0 after Amari Bell’s goal in the 51st minute. The defender scored from an assist by Demarai Gray, sending a powerful right-footer for his first international goal. Jamaica will take on Mexico in Las Vegas on Wednesday.