The match remained tightly contested in the second half. In the 67th minute, Gianluca Busio attempted to tap the ball into the net following a scramble in the box, but Canada's goalkeeper, Dayne St. Clair, robbed him of the goal occasion and made a crucial save. 

"We want Vazquez! We want Vazquez!" the crowd relentlessly chanted and roared as if they wanted to blow the walls off the stadium. 

With only 15 minutes remaining, Brandon Vazquez subbed in for the U.S. and instantly made an impact. He first came close to scoring in the 75th minute from a quick attacking action when Cade Cowell passed him the ball and shot a left-footer just inside the box that went about a foot wide of the goal post. Late in the 88th minute, he would find the mark rewarding the United States with a 1-0 lead from Dejuan Jones' cross.

However, Canada retaliated in the stoppage time through a penalty kick. The Video Assistant Referee (VAR) confirmed a handball inside the penalty box by Miles Robinson. Steven Vitoria calmly converted the penalty to level the score at 1-1, forcing a 30-minute extra time. 

During the extra period, both teams had opportunities to seize the advantage. Eventually, Jacob Shaffelburg's left-footed strike took a slight deflection off U.S. defender Matt Miazga's leg and granted Canada a 2-1 lead in the 109th minute. 

The U.S. quickly mounted a comeback in the 114th minute, with a shot from Gianluca Busio initially blocked by St. Clair. Nevertheless, the rebound inadvertently hit Canada's Scott Kennedy and trickled over the goal line, leveling the score again at 2-2. 

With both teams unable to will a victory in the regular time and extra time, the match went through penalty shootouts for settlement. 

Monumentally, Matt Turner rose to the occasion and delivered a superb performance with two saves, while the final Canada attempt crashed off the crossbar. 

Canada's Steven Vitoria attempted first, but Turner saved his penalty shot, followed by Brandon Vazquez, whose shot went sky-high for the Americans. Liam Fraser could not find the target because Turner blocked it. Cade Cowell successfully converted his, giving the United States a 1-0 advantage. The defender of Inter Miami, Kamal Miller, equalized for Canada, but Gianluca Busio put the U.S. back up at 2-1. Jacen Russell scored for Canada to give them a chance. Jesus Ferreira netted the winning penalty for the U.S., securing a 3-2 victory as Charles Brym's shot hit the crossbar, sealing a nail-biting 3-2 shootout victory for the defending champions, United States.

The United States will face Panama at Snapdragon Stadium in San Diego, California Wednesday 12, at 7:30 p.m.

2023 Concacaf Gold Cup, United States, Canada, Brandon Vazquez, Gianluca Busio, Matt Turner, Matt Miazga, Scott Kennedy, Charles Brym, Gasner Delvarin Jr., Sports Action Rundown