SoccerAmerica - Brazil cruises to victory 08/10/2010

[USA-BRAZIL] The USA, in its first game since the 2010 World Cup, started strong but faded fast in Tuesday’s friendly against Brazil at the New Meadowlands Stadium in New Jersey in front of 77,223 fans and fell, 2-0.

Edson Buddle fed Landon Donovan for a chance in the third minute and for the first 10 minutes the Americans were the more lively and threatening team.

But the young Brazilian team soon found its rhythm and by midway through the first half had established control. Both the Brazilians' goals came in the first half, but they were even more dominant in the s econd half, when they hit the post twice and forced good saves from keeper Brad Guzan.

Brazil took the lead in the 28th minute when 5-foot-7 Neymar headed past goalkeeper Tim Howard into the far corner of the net from nine yards. Neymar, while marked by Jonathan Bornstein, met a low cross driven in from the left wing by Andres Santos.

In first-half stoppage time, Alexandre Pato made it 2-0 after Brazil sliced through the heart of the U.S. defense.

Thiago Silva fed Paulo Henrique Ganso, who relayed the ball to Ramires. Pato latched on to Ramires’ pass, took one touch at the edge at the penalty area to round Howard, and stroked the ball into an empty net.

Robinho hit the U.S. post early in the 53rd minute. Michael Bradley was offside when he headed into the Brazilian net four minutes later.

Ganso hit the post from long range in the 77th minute on one of several Brazilian chances. Keeper Brad Guzan, who replaced Howard at halftime, saved well on Carlos Eduardo’s close-range shot in the 84th minute.

Brazilian keeper Victor batted away Herculez Gomez's header after a Jonathan Spector delivery in the 84th minute on what was the best U.S. opportunity.

The crowd of 77,223 was the third largest crowd in New Jersey for a U.S. national team game.

Aug. 10 in East Rutherford, N.J.
USA 2 Brazil 0.
Goals: Neymar (Andre Santos) 29, Pato (Ramires) 46+.
USA -- Howard (Guzan, 46), Spector, Gonzalez, Bocanegra (Goodson, 62), Bornstein, Bedoya (Gomez, 67), Bradley, Edu, Feilhaber (Kljestan, 46), Donovan (Findley, 62), Buddle (Altidore, 46)
Brazil -- Victor, Dani Alves, Thiago Silva, David Luiz, Andre Santos, Lucas, Ramires (Hernanes, 59), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Jucilei, 89), Robinho (Diego Tardelli, 81), Neymar (Ederson, 72; Carlos Eduardo, 75), Pato (Andre, 67).
Referee: Silviu Petrescu (Canada).
Attendance: 77,223

0 comments

Ken Morris

commented on: August 10, 2010 at 11:39 p.m.

It's getting so discouraging to watch this team. Over and over we see the same worthless strategies, carried out by players lacking the basic skills to get it done. And yet, we're stuck with the same tired players and coaches we've always had. We end up with the same results, too. I can sit on my couch and tell anyone what it takes to possibly beat Brazil, so why can't the U.S. coaches figure this out. Even when their own history shows them how to do it, they continually go back to their losing strategies. The first fifteen minutes of this game was exactly how you must play to defeat Brazil. Pressure pressure pressure! When we apply pressure, Brazil loses its cool and gives the ball away. Then, as if all we cared about was outplaying Brazil for fifteen minutes, we went right back to slow, plodding soccer, giving Brazil all the space they could ever want. To make matters worse, when this happens we are forced to listen to JP Dellacamera's butt kissing of Brazil. As if he's just fallen in love for the first time, JP has to beam all over the Brazilians for their passing, dribbling and creativity. He even expressed awe over the Brazilians' ability to enjoy the game. Neither Altidore nor Finley have enough ball control to succeed at this level. Donovan disappears for long stretches, Bornstein got beat on a header by a midget and Bocanegra's not even going to be on this team in 2012. Top it all off with Coach Bradley, who apparently has his own favorites he just can't bear to cut, and who lacks a true tactical spine. What is there to be positive about? Oh, Tim Howard is terrific, and Guzman is pretty good as well. Unfortunately neither of them can score, although on this team if you can't score you usually get rewarded with a spot in the starting lineup.

Eric Bethmann

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 12:09 a.m.

Spot on, Ken. Until we develop players who love the game and have the balls and ability to improvise, we are doomed to dreamers. Stop being so goddamned focused on playing coaches system and learn how to dance!!! Please, please, please, three final words, "Bob's last game!!!!"

Omosh Omosh

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 1:59 a.m.

USA needs to find another coach quick. Bradely in in over his head

Everson Maciel

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 7:47 a.m.

We only going to develop players like Brazil, Spain, Aragentina, etc... if we start playing futsal in our youth programs. All players from Brazil on this team has a futsal background. Small space, quick thinking, skills and techniques made a huge difference. I felt really bad watching the US team last night.

Walt Pericciuoli

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 11:21 a.m.

Other than making a buck, what was the point? We must face reality. Despite the millions of dollars and many years of energy spent trying to develop the American player, we are forced to watch as Brazil demonstates once again how far the US players really are to the rest of the players from elite soccer playing nations. After all this time, we have only a handful of players now who can barely compete in the elite premier leagues around the world. Getting rid of Bradley is not the answer. Getting rid of the entire staff including adiminstrators responsible for the national team program is the first step. Swallow our big egos and hire and pay for a proven professional staff from Brazil, Holland or Spain to teach us how to develop youth players (not tactics) Until we develop world class players, we'll never be better than a third world soccer playing nation.

Eric Bethmann

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 2:11 p.m.

You said it, Walt. Bravo to all the comments on this and other sites from the US soccer fans. We know the truth. The 1994 US team would beat the snot out of every team since. At least they had heart!!! We have a team with no leaders at all. Arena and Bradley have been all about playing a system, never playing or developing players that can play the Beautiful Game. It's time for a complete rethink. No more college and suburb/club boys!! We need to hit the streets, leagues and sandlots to find footballers and men. WE NEED TO RESPECT POSSESSION!!!

I w Nowozeniuk

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 3:19 p.m.

We need a new philosophy, new players and new administrators/coaches...new TV commentators and a better qualified directors of TV cameras which jump from face to face and provide a poor perspective of the game...it's not the ball carrier, it's everybody in the area of the ball and further out. Futbol is a 360 degree sport and the USMNT plays it like it's 90 degrees. Donovan is always touted as the greatest American born player, skillwise, yes, can he play for more than 30-minutes?

Bill Anderson

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 4:38 p.m.

There will never be an advancement until Sunil and Bob are gone.

Ric Fonseca

commented on: August 11, 2010 at 10:47 p.m.

I w Nowozeniuk, you hit the nail on the head again! To Bill Anderson, unfortunately the country is wedded to Sunil as he was elected to the post, and unless the entire membership of US Soccer rises up and revolts, well, we have him for the duration 'cause the BoT will not vote to get him out. As for Banal Bob, I keep on saying that I'd have respect for him if he did the honorable thing and resign, but methinks that that isn't in his vocabulary. To Bob Bradley, be a man, man up and swallow your pride, and take a page from the other world-known coaches who have done the honorable thing and that is.... resign!

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