60 sleepy minutes gave way to 60 more of pure chaos and penalty kicks, as the USMNT outlasted Canada in the quarterfinals of the 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup on Sunday.
The USMNT held an advantage in regular time, before seizing one of their own in extra-time. On both occasions, the equalizing response came within five minutes. USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner saved Canada’s first two attempts in the penalty shootout and Charles-Andreas Brym smashed attempt no. 5 on the front of the crossbar to send the Yanks through to the semifinals against Panama on Wednesday (7:30 pm ET).
Brandon Vazquez opened the scoring in front of his hometown FC Cincinnati fans, as he leapt to reach DeJuan Jones’ inviting cross into the box in the 88th minute. It was Vazquez’s third goal of the Gold Cup, as he battles Jesus Ferreira and Ricardo Pepi along the USMNT depth chart.
The 1-0 scoreline lasted until the 93rd minute, when Miles Robinson was judged (upon video review) to have handled the ball inside the penalty area. Defender Steven Vitoria stepped up and narrowly beat Turner the first time they would face off on the night.
Penalty kicks appeared inevitable before the 109th minute, when Jacob Shaffelburg got the ball at midfield and raced past two defenders, into the penalty area and fired an arrow inside the far post to put Canada ahead out of absolutely nothing. Again, though, it was back to level terms in the 114th after Dayne St. Clair made a save, but the ball ricocheted off Scott Kennedy and bounced over the line for 2-2.
USMNT vs Canada, final score: 2-2 (4-2 PKs)
88th minute – Brandon Vazquez heads home DeJuan Jones’ cross to make it 1-0
90th minute +3 – Steven Vitoria converts a late penalty to pull Canada level
90th minute +3 – Steven Vitoria converts a late penalty to pull Canada level
114th minute – Innocent bystander Scott Kennedy scores own goal to pull USMNT level
How to watch USMNT vs Canada live, stream link and start time
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET, Sunday
TV Channel, streaming in English: FS1
TV Channel, streaming en Español: Univision
USMNT schedule – 2023 CONCACAF Gold Cup
Draw 1-1 vs Jamaica — June 24, 9:30pm ET — Chicago, Illinois
Win 6-0 vs St. Kitts and Nevis — June 28, 9:30pm ET — St. Louis, Missouri
Win 6-0 Trinidad and Tobago — July 2, 7pm ET — Charlotte, North Carolina
vs Canada — July 9, 7:30pm ET — Cincinnati, Ohio