USA aims for record against Brazil
- by Paul Kennedy @pkedit, May 30, 2012
[BY THE NUMBERS] Fresh off its 5-1 win over Scotland, the USA faces a slightly tougher test Wednesday as it hosts Brazil in the second of its late spring
five-game series as FedExField in Landover, Md. (TV: ESPN2, ESPN3, TeleFutura, live, 8 pm ET). A U.S. win would break a record for the best start to a year. For a look at USA-Brazil by the numbers
...
56,000+.
A crowd of more than 56,000 is expected. It should break a record for attendance for a men's national team friendly in the D.C.
area.
2,000+.
More than 2,000 fans attended the national team's
public training session Monday at the University of Maryland.
270.
Jermaine Jones leads the USA this year in minutes played this year. No player has started all four games.
23
Jozy Altidore became the last of the 23 players called into the USA's five-game series when he arrived from Dutch club AZ on
Monday.
15/16
Brazil has won 15 of its 16 games in its series
with the USA.
11
Eleven matches in the USA-Brazil series,
including the lone U.S. win at the 1998 Gold Cup, have been decided by only one goal.
5
With the 5-1 win over Scotland, the USA has collected five consecutive victories, dating back to dating back to the 3-2 win over Slovenia on Nov. 15, 2011
4
With a 4-0-0 record in 2012, this is only the second time the USA has started a year with as many as four
straight wins. The 1998 team started 4-0-0 with victories against Sweden, Cuba, Costa Rica and Brazil.
1
The USA has allowed only one goal in its four wins -- and that goal was an own goal knocked in by Geoff Cameron in Saturday's 5-1 win over Scotland.
SO REMEMBER, YOU HEARD IT HEAR FIRST! The US is gonna dominate brazil!! think germany-argentina 2010wc. brazil won't know what hit them. im a firm believer in teamwork,strategies and tactics over superstar players. JK has put a system in place for this US TEAM( OUR BEST EVER) to now ground and pound teams into submission. We have quality at every position now. One of the best functioning midfields of any national team in the world.(donovan-dempsey-bradley-jones) the world has been waiting for the american superpower to flex its muscle in men's soccer(football), with the win at italy, a demolition of scotland, and a domination of the great brazil, the world will finally be on notice what the US MEN'S NAT'L TEAM is capable of on the pitch. US 3-1
This is an ideal time to play Brazil and potentially look good as Brazil's opponent. Why? Well, for starters, Brazil are in the odd and awkward position of being a major tournament host. As they host for Copa Mundial 2014, they are not in the South American mix of qualifiers. So the coach and the player are really only in "damage control" mode, i.e. do okay, just don't do anything atrocious. Every game for them is an exposition game, just a try-out for players at the various positions. Let's not read too much into a relatively good game for the US this evening at FedEx Field. Most Brazilians that are the top of their nation now won't be in this squad as they are now (finally!) on some brief holiday from their European clubs. Even if we see Neymar (there for money/media purposes only), he'll be playing less than 100% as Santos are not doing well but have a chance to perhaps retain their Copa Libertadores title. Bear in mind the Corinthians players who also hope to do the same. THAT has priority; playing a USA team does not. These games are ALWAYS over-hyped. Understand this for what it is: This is a big Nike promotion night. Unless a player is hoping to make a big splash and attract European club buyers now in the open worldwide transfer window, look for most players to give 70-80% and try not to get injured. (Now: Most American players are indeed playing to get a better club, get a better contract -- only 5 or 6 U.S. players are probably totally satisfied with where they are now.)