Canada coach Bev Priestman remains positive following CONCACAF W Gold Cup loss

Jessie Fleming did everything but score from the penalty spot in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup semifinal.

Sadly the 25-year-old from London, Ont., was not the only one. American goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher stole the show in Wednesday's penalty shootout on a waterlogged pitch at San Diego's Snapdragon Stadium, stopping spot kicks by Fleming, Adriana Leon and Jordyn Huitema while converting a penalty of her own.

The second-ranked Americans won the shootout 3-1 after 10th-ranked Canada rallied twice to force extra time at 1-1 and the shootout at 2-2.

Fleming was the last Canadian shooter, walking away from goal disconsolately as the Americans rushed to mob Naeher.

But Fleming, who took over the captaincy after longtime skipper Christine Sinclair retired from international football in December, has no reason to hang her head. From the get-go Wednesday, she drove the Canadian team.

The Portland Thorns midfielder was one of the first to realize that the ball was sticking on the pitch because of the standing water. So she started looping balls behind the U.S. defence, hoping a teammate could run under it. And when the ball went in touch, Fleming was often the first on the scene, looking to keep play and Canada on the move.

It was a masterful performance by Fleming, who was in constant motion in earning her 128th cap for Canada.

"For me, Jessie the whole tournament has been immense," said Canada coach Bev Priestman. "It's probably the things lot of people don't see... Her leadership, I can't speak any higher of someone who's had to step into some big shoes. And of course she's got an unbelievable player group around her. But she led by example in every yard she covered on that pitch.

'That's exactly what Jessie does. She would do