NEW JERSEY(SMIWIRE,09.07.18)-The US Men's National Soccer team, began its preparation for the upcoming qualifying CONCACAF for Qatar World Cup 2022, with a roster full of young players and losing its first game of kick-off series to five-time world champion, Brazil, 2-0, in a FIFA friendly's match and in front of 32,489 fans at Metlife Stadium in East Rutherford, New Jersey.

 

The USMNT, who is under the direction of Dave Sarachan, as an interin head coach, will play a series of six matches the rest of the year of the 2018, against top teams such Mexico, Colombia, England, Italy and Peru, to test new young players averaging  23 years old, to gain experience, develop an identity and eventually built the team that will represent in the upcoming Concacaf Qualifying for Qatar World Cup 2022.

​

A young US team, averaging 23 years olds, faced five-time world champions Brazil,

with their full squad of world superstars, like Neymar, Coutinho, Fermino and others,

lost control of the ball from the start and the brazilian's dominance was felt in the field against these young players, who apparently felt overwhelmed and could not get anything going, except for couple counter-attacks without any major danger at the Brazilian's goal  in the first half.

​

The game was defined in the first half, when Brazil opened the score very early in the game at 11' minutes, during a counter-attack through Douglas Costa, running from rightside field and centered the ball inside the 18', finding Fermino, who tapped the ball for the first goal of the game, putting Brazil in front 1-0 over USA.

​

"we had a nervy star, I though the ability to connect passes was difficult for our group earlier in the game, and when you concede possesion against team like Brazil, it makes it hard, we did a lot a chasing .The first goal was well executed, I think we were a little late, doubling Costa, but it was terrific execution." Said Dave Sarachan at post-game press conference.

​

The US team could not react and Brazil offensive line kept the pressure, reaching the US Goal without a problem and creating more chances of scoring opportunities. The second goal for Brazil arrived  through a penalty shot executed by Neymar at 44' minute, when Fabinho was brough down inside the 18' by Will Trapp, for the final victory of Brazil  2-0 over US.

 

"The penalty I did not see. Overall I thought the first half was a little nervy, I think in the second half were playing the ball better. I thought our coordination was better and trying to step out in the second half, we improved. Overall it was great game for us to play, it challanged us in a way I think this group will improve.We alway want to win when we step out in the field, the thing we want to see a team it's not afraid, I dont think we were afraid, we were a little nervous here and there, but we want to see a team that its not afraid that will compete and that will challege you at plays" Said US head-coach Sarachan about the game. 

​

The next game for the USMNT will be Mexico at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Tennessee on Tuesday, Sept. 11.

October 11, 20187:30 PM Colombia at Raymond James Stadium; Tampa, Fla

October 16, 20187:30 PM  VS. Peru  Pratt & Whitney Stadium at Rentschler Field; East Hartford, Conn.

In November, the USA will gather in Europe for two exhibition matches, facing England at Wembley Stadium in London on Thursday, Nov. 15. and visiting Italy on Tuesday, Nov. 20, at a venue still to be determined.

​

Match: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Brazil 
Date: September 7, 2018 
Competition: International Friendly 
Venue: MetLife Stadium at East Rutherford, N.J. 
Attendance: 32,489 
Kickoff: 8:06 p.m. ET 
Weather: 74 degrees; Cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1   2   F 
USA                          0   0   0 
BRA                          2   0   2

BRA - Roberto Firmino (Douglas Costa)    11th minute 
BRA - Neymar                                             44

Lineups: 
USA: 1-Zack Steffen, 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 3-Matt Miazga, 4- Tyler Adams, 6- John Brooks, 7- Bobby Wood (9-Gyasi Zardes, 70), 8-Weston McKennie (25-Marky Delgado, 83), 14-Paul Arriola (23-Kellyn Acosta, 55), 16-Julian Green (11-Tim Weah, 55), 17-Antonee Robinson, 20-Wil Trapp (capt.) (10-Cristian Roldan, 83) 
Substitutes not used: 22-Alex Bono, 5-Cameron Carter-Vickers, 10-Cristian Roldan, 15-Eric Lichaj, 21-Tim Parker 
Head coach: Dave Sarachan

BRA: 1-Alisson, 2-Thiago Silva (3-Dede, 80), 5-Casemiro, 6-Filipe Luis, 7-Douglas Costa (19-Willian, 61), 10-Neymar (capt.) (21-Everton, 80) 11-Philippe Coutinho (17-Lucas Paqueta, 70), 13-Marquinhos, 14-Fabinho, 18-Fred (15-Arthur, 60), 20-Roberto Firmino (9-Richarlison, 75) 
Substitutes:12-Neto, 24-Hugo, 4-Felipe, 16-Alex Sandro, 22-Eder Militao, 23-Andreas Pereira 
Head coach: Tite

Stats Summary: USA / BRA 
Shots: 11 / 12 
Shots on Goal: 2 / 4 
Saves: 2 / 2 
Corner Kicks: 6 / 3 
Fouls: 12 / 12 
Offside: 1 / 1

Misconduct Summary: 
None

Officials: 
Referee: Fernando Guerrero (MEX) 
Assistant Referee 1: Alberto Morin (MEX) 
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Hernandez Delgado (MEX) 
4th Official: Ivan Barton (SLV)