[U.S. UNDER-17 NATIONAL TEAM] The U.S. under-17 national team recovered from giving up a goal just seconds before halftime to tie Brazil's U-17s, 1-1, Saturday at the 2009 Nike International Friendlies in Phoenix.

The equalizer came in the 75th minute when Nicholas Melo won the ball and touched it through for Kellen Gulley, who did well to beat his defender with his first touch and get inside the box, finishing his low shot hard into the far post.

The new cycle of players played their first international game on Friday, falling to Portugal, 2-1.

The young Portuguese were ahead 2-0 after only 17 minutes. In the 35th minute, Irvin Gijon converted the spot kick to cut the Portugal lead in half.

Melo is one of six U.S. players who aren't currently part of the Residency Program. The others are Tarik Beckles, Ive Burnett, Mikhail Doholis, Kendall McIntosh and Tarik Salkicic.

Next up: Netherlands on Monday (TV: Fox Soccer Channel, 9 pm ET).

Dec. 4 in Phoenix
USA 1 Portugal 2. Goals: Gijon (pen.) 37; Mane 5, Guedes 17.
USA -- Pina, Pelosi, Smith, Souders, Chang (Cristobal, 89) Oliver (Velasquez, 63), Gijon, Salkicic, Ayah (Gonzalez, 34), Koroma, Rodriguez (Ortega, 83)
Att.: 1,106

Dec. 5 in Phoenix
USA 1 Brazil 1. Goals: Gulley 75; Guilherme 45.
USA -- Pina, Pelosi, Smith, Souders, Chang, Oliver (Doholis, 72), Gijon (Melo, 72), Gonzalez (Burnett, 65), Salkicic (Ayah, 33), Koroma, Rodriguez (Gulley, 46).
Att.: 1,783.