The American goalkeeper saved three penalties and scored one of her own to set up a final meeting with Brazil on Sunday
For a few minutes there, it looked like Alyssa Naeher was going to leave this one with regrets. On a rain-soaked night in Southern California, the U.S. women's national team was just moments away from navigating one of the most surreal games in program history. They'd gotten the goals they needed, sliding through puddle after puddle to get them, and just needed to see it out.
Then the foul happened. Naeher was the culprit, allowing Canada back into the game, with seconds to spare. What happened next, though, was something superhuman.
Behind Naeher's heroics, the USWNT topped Canada 3-1 in a shootout following a 2-2 draw through 120 minutes. Naeher, by the end of it all, was the hero. In addition to three saves in that shootout, she stepped up and scored a penalty of her own. After suffering through the USWNT's World Cup exit in a shootout against the Netherlands, Naeher took things into her own hands in a way we've never seen before.
The USWNT goalkeeper wasn't the only star, though, even if she was the biggest one. Jaedyn Shaw proved that even the rain couldn't stop her as she continued her ascendence with the opening goal. Sophia Smith got on the scoresheet, too, scoring a much-needed goal to quiet any rumblings about her spot in the team.
In the end, it was a chaotic, rain-soaked mess of a game, one that was always going to go down in USWNT lore. Instead of the Rain Game, though, Wednesday's clash will be remembered as the Naeher Game, and what a game it was.
GOAL rates USNWT players from Snapdragon Stadium…
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Alyssa Naeher (8/10):
Her foul gave Canada the penalty, but when you follow it up like , you're the hero. Three saves a goal of her own in the shootout? Insane performance.
Jenna Nighswonger (6/10):
Going through an impromptu slip-and-slide will be one of the lasting images of this game. Struggled a little bit one-on-one at a few points, but it happens.
Naomi Girma (8/10):
Absolutely fantastic as always. Shut down any hopes Canada had whenever they did get forward.
Tierna Davidson (7/10):
Nealy gave away a penalty, but got away with it. Otherwise, totally solid as she furthered her case for an Olympic spot.
Emily Fox (5/10):
Somehow, was able to dribble a few times despite the weather, which would normally get her some good bonus points. Was posturized on the Huitema goal, though, which hurts her score.
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Korbin Albert (6/10):
Another solid performance. Work-rate was there, which is all too important in games like this. Missed her penalty, but her teammates picked her up
Sam Coffey (8/10):
Had a really good game. Set pieces were dangerous and she was defensively solid, both of which were key in a game where passing was super difficult.
Lindsey Horan (6/10):
Not her best game. Missed a headed chance and got caught trying to play actual soccer a few too many times. Effort was there throughout, though.
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Jaedyn Shaw (8/10):
Saw her efforts rewarded with the goal. In any other game, that opportunity never falls her way. It did on Wednesday, though, simply because Shaw had the intelligence to chase it.
Alex Morgan (6/10):
Had a few good moments, but was largely kept quiet. Caught the worst end of the rain in the first half of Canada's final-third.
Trinity Rodman (7/10):
Covered more ground than anybody. Had one good breakaway killed off by a puddle, which was unfortunate because that would have been a guaranteed goal on any other night.
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Casey Krueger (5/10):
Struggled a bit. Had some issues defensively that made things a bit nervy.
Lynn Williams (6/10):
Definitely added a bit to the game as her energy, pace and effort helped the U.S. a ton as the game wore on.
Sophia Smith (8/10):
How big a finish was that?!? Smith needed it and the USWNT did, too, as the Portland Thorns star scored a massive goal for both herself and the group.
Rose Lavelle (8/10):
Her flicked-on header is what sprung Smith. That was her primary highlight, but there were plenty of bright moments for the midfield star
Emily Sonnett (7/10):
Got the hockey assist on the Smith goal, although that was more luck than anything. Helped the U.S. kill of the game after that, even if her run to the corner flag was a bit premature.
Twila Kilgore (7/10):
Any tactics she may have had planned went out the window the second it started reaining. Got her subs totally right, though, which helped the U.S. win the game.