A Friendly Is Important For Brazil – Allison

Brazil got the better of a gritty United States team, running out 2-0 winners at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey on Friday night.

The U.S. started a very young lineup, with 25-year-old Bobby Wood the oldest player in Dave Sarachan’s XI, against a Brazil side that was eliminated from the World Cup in the quarterfinals by Belgium in Russia.

Brazil wasted no time opening the scoring as Douglas Costa beat Antonee Robinson on the right flank and curled in a perfect cross for Roberto Firmino to side-foot home past Zack Steffen in the U.S. goal just after the 10-minute mark.

Costa nearly set up Brazil’s second after beating Robinson again, but Neymar could not handle his low cross despite being set up in a perfect scoring position in the center of the penalty area.

The U.S. had two nice chances to score just past the half-hour, but Weston McKennie’s shot from a DeAndre Yedlin cross was scuffed and John Brooks glancing header from a Will Trapp corner kick skipped wide of the far post.

Brazil’s pressure told again before half-time as Fabinho’s slashing run into the box drew a foul from Will Trapp and Neymar stepped up and rolled him his spot attempt to send the Selecao into the dressing room up 2-0 at the break.

The visiting side was back at it shortly after the break with Costa once again beating Robinson and slicing open the U.S. backline with a through ball to Neymar whose low shot was cleared off the line by Matt Miazga.

Both teams made several changes in the second half, with Arthur, Lucas Paqueta, Everton and Richarlison all making their debuts for Brazil.

“A friendly is important for us to prepare for the Copa America next year, that is our principal objective,” Alisson said. “Some lads had a chance to make their debut and the win was good for their confidence.

“I think we can get a lot better but we did a nice job today under the conditions. The pitch didn’t help but we managed to pass the ball well against a team that tried to pressure us. It was a good test.”

McKennie missed a great chance for the U.S. in the 65th minute, firing a shot from a Kellyn Acosta free kick just wide of the goal and Trapp forced Alisson into a save minutes later as the Americans pushed for a goal.

The loss was the 11th straight against Brazil for the U.S., its longest losing streak against a single opponent in the team’s history.

The United States’ next match is a friendly against Mexico on Sept. 11 in Nashville and Tite’s Brazil will face El Salvador in Landover, Maryland on the same day.