USA Vs. Brazil: Seleção Outclasses The USMNT In 4-1 Win

After 90 minutes, the one thing that was abundantly clear was the one thing that everyone knew coming into the match -- Brazil is a lot better than the U.S.

The U.S. did have their moments. They poured the pressure on Brazil for a spell in the second half, forcing Rafael into a handful of good saves and rattling the bar once. The static and unsure attack that marred Klinsmann’s first few months was gone. When the U.S. got the ball out from their own feet they attacked with purpose and confidence. They were active and assured. They were, at least in brief spurts, dangerous.

Despite playing with their under-23 team plus a couple of older players in advance of this summer’s Olympics, Brazil showed why they are Brazil in a thorough 4-1 beating of the U.S. It was not an embarrassment by any means for the U.S., and they had their fair share of bright spots, but there is no doubt who the better team was at FedEx Field on Wednesday night.

The second half started looking a lot like the first, with Brazil controlling possession and putting the U.S. on the back foot. Seven minutes into the half, they got their two-goal lead back when Neymar got free down the left before dragging back for a wide open Marcelo. He knocked the ball into the open net and Brazil were up 3-1.

For more on the U.S. vs. Brazil friendly, check out the match’s StoryStream, which has previews, as well as live and postgame coverage.

“Anything you can do, we can do better.”

The U.S. scored just before halftime with a quick move down the left that saw them get the ball to the end line and cross for a finish. Their cross took a deflection and didn’t come with a lot of space.

Those giveaways finally hurt the U.S. 12 minutes in, when a giveaway sparked a Brazil attack that resulted in a shot being fired at Onyewu. The defender’s arm was a little bit outstretched, and that little bit was enough for the referee, who pointed to the spot after the shot struck his arm. Neymar converted the penalty and Brazil was in front.

Brazil almost doubled their lead soon after when Leandro Damião’s perfectly timed run put him in all alone on goal. It looked like a surefire goal for Brazil, but Howard got off his line and made a great save to keep the lead at 1-0.

For more on the U.S. vs. Brazil friendly, check out the match’s StoryStream, which has previews, as well as live and postgame coverage.

The U.S. gave the ball away too much against Scotland, but Scotland was hardly going to make them pay for it. Brazil will, and are, turning a giveaway into a penalty for their first goal and now turning one into a corner kick for their second goal.

For more on the U.S. vs. Brazil friendly, check out the match’s StoryStream, which has previews, as well as live and postgame coverage.

Far more concerning for the U.S. are the giveaways that led to the penalty. The only reason Brazil came at the U.S. and fired the shot at Onyewu’s arm was because the Americans had given the ball away several times in the midfield. Give the ball away and Brazil will make you pay. Hell, they already have.

For more on the U.S. vs. Brazil friendly, check out the match’s StoryStream, which has previews, as well as live and postgame coverage.

He looks pretty good in the soccer jersey, and ignoring the whole knowledge of the sport and skill things -- you know, minor things -- a 6-foot-2 guy who can run a 4.38 40 might find a home on the soccer field. Let’s add it to the list of possible occupations for him besides NFL quarterback, a list that already included lawyer, Supreme Court justice, astronaut, fashion maven and all-around cool cat. RGIII will have all of the jobs.

At least the U.S. midfield can be counted on. The trio that they are going with is the same one that was absolutely sensational on Saturday, but then again, Brazil isn’t Scotland.

Of course, the focus is going to be on the attacking players, specifically Neymar. The Santos star is already one of the best players in the world and maybe the most fun player in the world to watch. At just 20 years old he already has a highlight reel that stacks up against anyone with an array of incredible goals and fancy footwork that few in the world can even dream of.

Up top will be Hulk and Leandro. Hulk is already a familiar name to most soccer fans, one because of his name and two because of the interest he has drawn from some of the biggest teams in the world with Chelsea looking like the favorite. Leandro is also drawing interest from Europe as his days with Internacional dwindle. Tottenham Hotspur have long been thought to be his landing spot, but after yet another tremendous season in Brazil he has drawn interest from Juventus, among other clubs. If you want to see some of Europe’s future club stars, look no further than Neymar, Hulk and Leandro.

As hosts of the 2014 World Cup, Brazil gets a spot in the tournament and does not have to participate in qualifying. That, along with Copa America being last year, leaves Brazil without any matches if importance until the World Cup, or maybe the 2013 Confederations Cup if you think that tournament is of any importance.

What does a team without any matches importance do? Experiment...a lot.

So Dempsey is doing Young Jeezy one better and putting on for his country instead of putting on for his city, which raises the important question: what are the amateur YouTube video makers of America doing with their time? Where is the “I Put On For My Country” song and accompanying YouTube video*? Come on lyric, rapping and video capable boys and girls of America, your country needs you.

* This video will preferably include Dempsey blasting Young Jeezy while sitting on his boat bass fishing in the middle of a North Carolina lake while confused onlookers wonder how America got so good.

On Saturday, Klinsmann’s squad flashed the skill and attacking verve that he promised. The U.S. destroyed Scotland, 5-1, and scored a handful of fantastic, creative, eye-opening goals. More so than the scoreline, the way in which the U.S. won was what was so impressive. The entire evening was an affirmation of what Klinsmann has spent the last nine months trying to instill in the team, but that was Scotland. And no offense to Scotland (which is code for I’m about to be offense), but Scotland is a subpar team that in its current form shouldn’t even bother with the thought of qualifying for its first major tournament in more than a decade.

While Klinsmann may want to call the U.S. a possession-oriented and attacking team, his team hasn’t always ben that. In fact, the only time since the German took the reigns that the U.S. came up against top flight competition, they hardly looked to attack.

Brazil’s manager Mano Menezes announced his starting lineup on Tuesday, one that will feature a front three of Hulk, Leandro Damião and Neymar. Between the three, they have almost 100 total goals at the club level in the last 12 months. Scotland hardly made the U.S. defense run on Saturday night. Wednesday will be the complete opposite. Size, skill and speed -- the Brazilian front three has it all.

There is more to the Brazil team than the front three. The team will be in a 4-3-3 with a defense led by Thiago Silva, but Marcelo and Danilo give the defense two more defenders who star in Europe. Of interest will be the play of Juan Jesus, a 20-year-old who joined Inter Milan in January and has been dubbed “The Next Lucio”.