United States 1-4 Brazil – Match Recap – Friendly – 30 May 2012
It was a decent start for the USA as the match was fairly even through about 10 minutes. In the 12th minute, there was some controversy as a penalty kick was given to Brazil for a handball on USA defender Oguchi Onyewu. Replays show that it wasn’t deliberate and probably a bit harsh as Onyewu didn’t even receive a yellow card.
Neymar would step up to the spot and convert as Brazil led 1-0 in the 12th minute. The match continued to even after the goal with a slight edge to the home side. Brazil would have long periods of possession but while the USA were dangerous on counters.
The score nearly was 2-0 for Brazil in the 18th minute as Leandro Demaio got behind the defense but was denied by USA goalkeeper Tim Howard. As the match neared the halfway point of the first half, Brazil would double the lead with a Thiago Silva header in the 26th minute. It was from a corner kick as Silva got free from Jermaine Jones and had an open header.
After grabbing a 2-0 lead, the momentum shifted dramatically with the Brazilians. They dominated possession and forced the USA to sit back to defend. The one real great chance the Americans would get late in the second half would actually turn into a goal and change momentum again. Fabian Johnson would get in the box and send a cross to Hercules Gomez who headed it from point blank range to make it 2-1 Brazil.
The whistle sounded a few moments later as Brazil led 2-1 at halftime and were clearly the stronger side. For the Americans, they were unfortunate to have the handball called on the first goal but fortunate to stay within one goal by halftime.
Things opened up much more in the second half as the USA looked to even the match. The next goal would end up coming from Brazil’s Marcelo as the USA were caught in a counterattack. It was solid finish from Marcelo and extended Brazil’s lead back up to two goals.
The USA nearly responded with a goal about ten minutes later but somehow it never crossed the line. The missed opportunity likely meant a comeback was going to be unrealistic. Fortunately for the home side, Brazil’s Pato missed a golden chance as his shot was denied by the post.
Clint Dempsey and Terrance Boyd were second half subs for the USA who did provide a lift. Dempsey helped to set up a great chance which was ultimately saved by Brazil goalkeeper Rafael. The never stopped attacking in the second half and would get some consistent pressure in the final minutes.
This resulted in some very good chances including an Onyewu header from a corner kick that bounced off the crossbar. A few minutes later Brazil would add to their lead as Pato made it 4-1 in the 88th minute. The score was a bit unfair as the USA were much better in the second half.
For the USA, Michael Bradley and Herculez Gomez had solid performances while the central defense pairing of Bocanegra and Onyewu left much to be desired.
Both teams will play friendlies on the weekend as the USA plays Canada and Brazil faces Mexico.
Goals
| USA | Brazil |
|---|---|
| Herculez Gomez (45′) | Neymar (pen 12′) |
| Thiago Silva (26′) | |
| Marcelo (52′) | |
| Pato (87′) |
Match Stats
USA Brazil
| 17(6) | Shots (on Goal) | 13(7) |
| 10 | Fouls | 12 |
| 8 | Corner Kicks | 5 |
| 1 | Offsides | 1 |
| 48% | Time of Possession | 52% |
| 2 | Yellow Cards | 2 |
| 0 | Red Cards | 0 |
| 3 | Saves | 5 |
Teams
USA - Howard, Bocanegra, Onyewu, Johnson (Castillo 80′), Cherundolo (Parkhurst 73′), Jones (Beckerman 80′), Bradley, Torres (Dempsey 56′), Edu (Body 73”), Donovan, Gomez
Brazil - Rafael, Juan, Thiago Silva, Marcelo (Alex Sandro 89′), Danilo, Romulo, Sandro, Neymar (Lucas 84′), Hulk (Casemiro 82′), Leandro Demaio (Pato 65′), Oscar (Guiliano 89′)
