Canada loses heartbreaker to U.S. in SheBelieves Cup final

• Canada 2 (Leon 40’, 86’), United States 2 (Smith 50’, 68’)
• Canadians lose 5-4 in a seven-round penalty shootout 
• Leon moves past Burtini as Canada’s 3rd all-time scorer

Oh, so close.

The Canadian women’s team showed a lot of heart in fighting back against the United States in Tuesday’s SheBelieves Cup final, a performance that was highlighted by Adriana Leon’s brace.

But the Americans held their nerve in the penalty shootout that directly followed the 2-2 draw in regulation time between the nations, beating the Canadians 5-4 in seven rounds at Lower.com Field in Columbus, Ohio.

Julia Grosso’s goal on Canada’s fifth penalty kept her country alive and Ashley Lawrence followed up by scoring to put the U.S. in a do-or-die situation. Abby Dahlkemper converted the hosts’ sixth attempt, but Evelyne Viens then missed for Canada to put the U.S. back in control. Emily Fox sealed the win for the Americans when she beat Kailen Sheridan.