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Article continues belowArticle continues belowArticle continues below<script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script><ul><li>Crazy conditions in California</li><li>Tie settled by penalty shootout</li><li>Another trophy now up for grabs</li></ul>

‘Not a day you can play football!’ - USWNT captain Lindsey Horan welcomes return of ‘grit’ mentality after surviving Canada storm to book W Gold Cup final date with Brazil

Friendlies

England

The United States were <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/uswnt-player-ratings-canada/blt46e45f6417b0c0a5" target="_blank">tested by their opponents and the weather conditions during a semi-final clash at Snapdragon Stadium</a> in San Diego. Torrential rain made the pitch almost unplayable, with both sides asking questions of the decision to let the game go ahead.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Horan told <a href="https://twitter.com/AttackingThird/status/1765630622129606687 " target="_blank">CBS Sports</a> of having to contend with a playing surface that saw the ball get stuck in various puddles: “A little bit of frustration from me – it’s not a day that you can play football! It’s really unfortunate, but at the end of the day I think me and Jessie [Fleming] were like ‘ok, we’ve got to move forward and we’ve got to play’. It is what it is and we played on.”

WHAT HORAN SAID ABOUT THE USWNT

A thrilling contest in California ended 2-2 after extra-time, with Canada snatching a 127th-minute equaliser after <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-puddle-assists-jaedyn-shaw-crazy-conditions-uswnt-goal-stormy-w-gold-cup-canada-backpass-stuck-pitch/bltcc20c01ea9d7b011" target="_blank">Jaedyn Shaw and Sophia Smith had netted for the States</a>. The USWNT then held their nerve in a penalty shootout, with <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/video-uswnt-goalkeeper-alyssa-naeher-saves-three-penalties-scores-one-w-gold-cup-semi-final-shootout-canada/bltf60fd42e01617a54" target="_blank">goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher saving three and scoring one herself</a>.

THE BIGGER PICTURE

Horan added on seeing the U.S. rediscover their spark following a frustrating showing at the 2023 Women’s World Cup: “That’s back to that U.S. mentality that we’ve been talking about that we needed, and it’s in us. I think that’s what you guys saw today. It’s not a game that you’re going to play football. I don’t think there are more than a few completed passes on the ground! But the grit of getting a goal, the tie, getting another goal and then the penalty kicks and Alyssa coming up massive.”

DID YOU KNOW?

Major silverware is now back within reach for the United States, with a continental crown up for grabs. Brazil stand between them and another trophy lift, with the W Gold Cup final set to take place in San Diego on Sunday.

WHAT NEXT FOR THE USWNT?

‘Not a day you can play football!’ - USWNT captain Lindsey Horan welcomes return of ‘grit’ mentality after surviving Canada storm to book W Gold Cup final date with Brazil | Goal.com

USWNT captain Lindsey Horan hailed the “grit” mentality of her side after coming through a storm against Canada to make the W Gold Cup final.