U.S. women’s soccer team loses to Canada in semifinals, ending bid for Olympic gold

KASHIMA, Japan — The U.S. women’s soccer team’s bid for Olympic gold has ended with a 1-0 loss to Canada, thanks to a goal from Jessie Fleming in the 75th minute. The strike, a laser to backup goalkeeper Adrianna Franch’s left, came on a penalty kick that was awarded on a VAR review. The win was Canada’s first victory over the U.S. women in 20 years.

Carli Lloyd — one of several legendary American players on the Olympic roster this year — crouched on the field, holding her head in her hands when the final whistle blew Monday.

KASHIMA, Japan — After about 10 minutes of heavy pressure from the Americans, it was Canada that scored first on a penalty shot in the 75th minute that was awarded via VAR after a foul from defender Tierna Davidson.

Jessie Fleming beamed the ball to the left past U.S. goalkeeper Adrianna Franch, who guessed correctly but had no chance in stopping the shot.

KASHIMA, Japan — Megan Rapinoe came on for Tobin Heath, Christen Press for Lynn Williams and Carli Lloyd for Alex Morgan in the 60th minute of the still scoreless semifinal in Kashima.

The American midfield has looked more lively in the second half after a lackadaisical first — Coach Vlatko Andonovski looks to be trying to inject an added spark.

KASHIMA, Japan — All the aggression in this North American matchup has been for naught so far, with both the Americans and Canadians coming up with zero shots on goal. The United States’ task in the second half is to keep possession much, much better — after dominating early, Canada swooped in time and time again to interrupt developing plays and apply pressure.

With Alyssa Naeher out and Adrianna Franch in goal for the United States, Canada is looking to take advantage of a potential vulnerability.

KASHIMA, Japan — Goalkeeper Alyssa Naeher walked off the field in the 30th minute after suffering what appeared to be an knee injury, possibly a hyperextension, several minutes earlier.

Backup Adrianna Franch subbed on for her first appearance of these Games.

After falling in front of her own goal, Naeher stayed down for several minutes, received attention from the U.S. team’s medical staff and tested her knee — shuffling side to side and jumping a few times — before play resumed after lengthy pause. But Naeher was limping in goal and soon walked off field, covering her face when she reached the sideline.

KASHIMA, Japan — The U.S. women are the aggressors early in this match, having taken two corner kicks already. They had a free kick from Tobin Heath, too, which Canada headed out of the box and cleared to nearly the center circle. That was a product of a hard collision between Lindsey Horan and Canada’s Ashley Lawrence, which left Horan on the ground for several moments before she slowly got up. It was just the first incident in what promises to be a chippy match between these two familiar foes.

KASHIMA, Japan — Coach Vlatko Andonovski is deploying his fifth different starting lineup at these Games, making three changes from the group that opened against the Netherlands: Tierna Davidson is in for Abby Dahlkemper on defense, Rose Lavelle for Samantha Mewis in the midfield and Alex Morgan for Carli Lloyd at striker.

The lineup features six of the 11 players who started when the U.S. met Canada on Feb. 18 at the SheBelieves Cup in Orlando.

Here’s who is starting for Canada:

It took extra time and penalty kicks for Canada to beat Brazil in the quarterfinals. Against Brazil, Vanessa Gilles converted the decisive spot kick, and goalkeeper Stephanie Labbé sealed the win with a diving two-handed save on Brazilian defender Rafaelle.

Previously in the Olympic tournament, Canada beat Chile, 2-1, and played to 1-1 draws against Japan and Britain.

This is the third match between the United States and Canada in Olympic competition.