On a muggy night in Orlando, Florida, the U.S. men’s national team hoped to prove that their 5-1 loss to Colombia was a fluke and that they could handle the pressure from the big teams.
In front of more than 60,000 fans at the old Citrus Bowl, the Americans bowed but didn’t break like they did against Los Cafeteros. Instead, against Brazil, the United States looked to task against a Seleção that seemed to struggle to take this match seriously at times and couldn’t find goals late when they needed them.
After falling early, the Americans responded with a free kick goal from Christian Pulisic and that 1-1 score remained from the 26th minute onwards, with neither team able to create any meaningful opportunities in the second half.
The Americans spent the second half preparing for the onslaught of the Brazilians, often throwing most of their squad behind the ball and earning their first draw against the Seleção.
But while Brazil continued to probe and find space in the American defense, goalkeeper Matt Turner avenged his poor performance against Colombia with a ten-save night and man-of-the-match performance.
Christian Pulisic scored a free kick to secure a 1-1 draw with Brazil on Wednesday night.
American goalkeeper Matt Turner had a player-of-the-match performance with a ten-save effort.
The Americans tried to surprise Brazil from the beginning with a shot by Yunus Musah from more than 30 meters that hit the crossbar.
But it was the Seleção who struck first after Chris Richards failed to properly mark Rodrygo. A slide-rule pass from Raphinha found the Real Madrid star’s boots, which he scored in the 17th minute to make it 1-0.
The Americans were quick to respond after Pulisic was fouled at the top of the box.
In the following free kick, the AC Milan winger avoided the barrier completely and still managed to beat Liverpool’s Alisson at the goalkeeper’s right post to level the score.
Defensively, neither team finished the second half looking strong, and both teams made tactical adjustments over the next 45 minutes.
USMNT coach Gregg Berhalter was content to let his team sit deep and absorb pressure from Brazilian stars like Vinicius Jr. and Lucas Paquetá and substitutes like Gabriel Martinelli and Endrick.
Defenders Joe Scally, Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson bent but didn’t break, blocking Brazilian shots or allowing Turner to grab the ball for big saves.
Second-half American chances from Pulisic and substitute Brenden Aaronson challenged Alisson, who did not let any more goals slip away.
Pulisic (10) was able to beat a diving Alisson at his right post to equalize for the United States.
It was a strong defensive adjustment by the United States, who put in a convincing performance that should encourage them ahead of a Copa América that will serve as their only real test before the World Cup.
“We ask for teamwork and intensity,” Berhalter told reporters after the game. “And that’s the kind of effort we saw today, the guys certainly delivered.”
Berhalter also said that this was “a good end to our preparation camp”, but also repeatedly referred to this as a “small step” towards further progress in the Copa América.
“For us, looking at the starting eleven against Colombia, I think the performance was average: we could have done better.” Looking at the (substitutes), I thought the contribution was poor and that was something we wanted to have a better effect today.
“And I think the (subs) came in and did a much better job today… so overall happy with their contribution.”
The United States opens its Copa América against Bolivia in Arlington, Texas.