Canada suffers heartbreak on penalties against U.S. in Gold Cup quarterfinals
CBC
A penalty kick converted by captain Steven Vitória in the dying minutes of regulation and a great individual effort by winger Jacob Shaffelburg to score in extra time ultimately weren't enough for Canada's men's soccer team.
The eleventh-ranked Americans edged No. 45 Canada 3-2 on penalties on Sunday night in Cincinnati in CONCACAF Gold Cup quarterfinal action after a 2-2 tie persisted following extra time.
Kamal Miller and Jacen Russell-Rowe each scored in the shootout for Canada. Vitória, who opened the penalty kicks, and Liam Fraser, who went second, had their shots stopped by American goalkeeper Matt Turner. Charles-Andreas Brym hit the crossbar as Canada's fifth shooter to bring the game to an end.
Cade Cowell, Gianluca Busio and Jesús Ferreira all scored for the United States after Brandon Vázquez failed to convert the team's opening penalty kick.
"It's bitter sweet, the guys are gutted in the dressing room," said Canada's head coach John Herdman. "There were bright spots from this Gold Cup and we were able to test our 2026 talent pool. There were some big performances from new players combined with the veterans who helped carry and develop a team through the last couple of weeks. I'm proud of the guys tonight."
WATCH l Canada out of Gold Cup following loss to U.S. on penalties:
Veteran centre back Vitória sent Canada to extra time by converting a 93rd minute penalty kick.
A confident shot in the middle of the goal by the 36-year-old tied the game at 1-1 after the video assistant referee (VAR) captured a hand ball by American defender Miles Robinson.
Vázquez opened the scoring for the U.S. shortly before with an 88th minute header.
Canada appeared to take control of the game in the second half of extra time.
Shaffelburg scored his first international goal in style after running with the ball from the halfway line and sending a deflected shot past Turner.
"It was one of those ones where right when I got [the ball], I know what I was going to do. Just take [the defender] on," Shaffelburg said about the individual effort. "It was just an amazing feeling to do it against the U.S., obviously."
A Toronto FC academy product now with Nashville SC, the 23-year-old from Kentville, N.S., came on for Junior Hoillet late in the second half.
"Obviously, it's disappointing," Shaffelburg said about the result. "I was at the bench for most of the game, so I was able to watch it and take it all in. Unbelievable performance from all the guys, they put their all in. It's just how football is sometimes."
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