Canadian women drop 2nd straight shootout against U.S. to fall in SheBelieves Cup final

Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher and the United States defeated Canada 5-4 in a penalty shootout for the second game in a row Tuesday to win the SheBelieves Cup final.

The U.S. had seemed headed for a 2-1 comeback win over Canada after two second-half goals by Sophia Smith.

But referee Crystal Sobers pointed to the spot after veteran Crystal Dunn took down Adriana Leon in the U.S. penalty box. Leon, who had scored in the first half, stepped up and beat Naeher in the 86th minute for her 39th goal in 118 appearances.

It was an all-action ending to the game.

WATCH | U.S. tops Canada in shootout:

Leon almost scored again in the 89th minute but Naeher parried her hard shot from distance. Defender Kadeisha Buchanan's header off the ensuing corner hit the crossbar.

U.S. captain Lindsey Horan's free kick flashed just wide in the 93rd minute.

Jessie Fleming, Leon, Julia Grosso and Ashley Lawrence scored for Canada in the shootout. Naeher stopped Jade Rose, Cloe Lacasse and Evelyne Viens.

Smith, Naeher, Horan, Abby Dahlkemper and Emily Fox scored for the U.S. Kailen Sheridan stopped Trinity Rodman and Emily Sonnett, with a chance to win it for the U.S., sent the ball over the crossbar.

After Naeher stopped Viens, Fox beat Sheridan for the 5-4 win.

After Leon put ninth-ranked Canada ahead in the 40th minute, goals by Smith in the 50th and 68th minutes gave the fourth-ranked Americans the lead — and what looked to be their fifth straight title at the four-team invitational tournament.

Canada was looking to avenge a penalty shootout semifinal loss to the U.S. in the CONCACAF W Gold Cup on a waterlogged field in San Diego on March 6.

Conditions were far better Tuesday with a temperature of 17 C at kickoff. So were the Canadians, who went