(The Nike Friendlies are taking place in Phoenix this week and while the current members of the U.S. Under-17 national team are several steps away from being real targets for the senior team, that doesn't mean we can't keep a close eye on the young talent coming up the pipeline.
SBI is fortunate enough to have staff writer Jose Romero in Phoenix for tonight's USA-Brazil match, and we're also lucky enough to have guest contributions on the Nike Friendlies from long-time SBI Mafia member and occasional SBI writer Odeen Domingo (a sports writer for the Arizona Republic), who delivers this preview on tonight's USA-Brazil friendly.)
BY ODEEN DOMINGO
So you’re all smarting and snickering over the US U-17 MNT’s impressive 2-1 win over Korea Republic on Wednesday, eh?
Well, now come the big boys. Big Bad Brazil.
Though there should an emphasis on “boys.” The US U-17 team will actually play Brazil’s U-16 team tonight at the Reach 11 Sports Complex in north Phoenix tonight.
Every single player on Brazil’s roster was born in 1994.
Here is a closer look at the Brazil team that will be facing the United States:
BRAZIL UNDER-16 ROSTER
Number Name Position Club
1Guido Goalkeeper (Santos FC)
2 Wallace Defender (Fluminense FC)
3 Josué, Defender (EC Vitoria)
4 Luiz Gustavo Defender (S.E. Palmeiras)
5 Rodrigo Midfielder (SC Internacional)
6 Emerson Defender (Santos FC)
7 Adryan Midfielder (CR Flamengo)
8 Marlon Bica Midfielder (SC Internacional) *Captain
9 Leandro Forward (SC Corinthians)
10 Guilherme Midfielder (CR Vasco de Gama)
11 Lucas Piazon Forward (Sao Paulo FC)
12 Jairo Goalkeeper (Sao Paulo FC)
13 Almir Defender (Sao Paulo FC)
14 Marcelo Midfielder (EC Vitoria)
15 Victor Defender (SC Corinthians)
16 Lucas Defender (Sao Paulo FC)
17 Mattheus Midfielder (CR Flamengo)
18 Nathan Forward (SC Internacional)
Head coach: Everson Avila
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It’s likely Brazil will put out the same starting lineup as it did in a scoreless tie vs. Turkey on Wednesday. That starting XI looked like this:
–Guilherme—–Lucas Piazon—–Mattheus–
—-Adryan—–Rodrigo—–Marlon Bica—-
Emerson—Luis Gustavo—Josue—Wallace
———————-Guido————————
Against Turkey, Nathan subbed in the 63rd minute for Emerson and played right wing; Victor subbed in the 63rd minute for Mattheus and played left back; and Lucas subbed in the 79th minute for Guilherme and played left center midfielder as Adryan pushed up top.
It was a pretty drab and physical affair between Brazil and Turkey. With both teams looking like it was still dealing with jet lag. For much of the match, Brazil was frustrated with how it wasn’t able to connect with passes and play with that flair the world has fallen in love with. While Turkey was more concerned about convincing the referee their ankles were broken, diving on the field and screaming in pain every time they were touched, as if they were auditioning for Serie A.
But there were still moments of brilliance from Brazil.
– Guido made two great saves in the first half vs. Turkey.
– After starting out slow, Brazil’s defense, led by a solid 1-2 of Josue and Luis Gustavo, shut Turkey down in the second half.
– Adryan is the trickiest player on the roster. His ankle-twisting moves almost always cleared space for him near the end line, if only he was a better crosser of the ball.
– Wallace is a scoring threat from the back. He’s not shy to let one rip from 35 yards out. You wouldn’t expect anything less from a Brazilian right back international.
– Mattheus and Lucas Piazon had the best combination work of the game, showing a good enough understanding with each other to combine and threaten the goal.
– Guilherme has good vision. He puts himself in good spots for rebounds and widening the field for Brazil’s offense to flow well enough.
— But who makes this team go is captain Marlon Bica. He doesn’t have the Ronaldinho moves but he is the fulcrum of the team. Everything seemed to flow through him. He finds the passes to either put pressure on the other team or to relieve the pressure.
——————-
Still, Brazil could not find any goals. Many of their shots were not on target. Maybe with a couple of more days in Phoenix, they’ll have fresher legs for tonight. If the US can jump on Brazil early and win the midfield as it did against the Korea Republic, it should be 2-0 in the Nike International Friendlies tournament heading into the weekend.
Do you remember being 17/16? Now imagine having not only the pressure of staying on a Brazilian side that probably has hundreds of kids that could replace you, and facing a team with a decent defense that isn’t letting you play your normal game. This other team is way more physical then you are used to playing….. Mix of hormones and frustration and you get what we saw. Don’t forget the kick the US player made that went unnoticed, it’s more the age then anything else
I was totally disappointed with Brazil. WIth all their talent, why do they play like a bunch of cheap shot artist, street punks? Absolutely no class at all. A bunch of street trash playing soccer. If I was their coach, the two that got ejected would be banished
Not sure a red is enough for the two that got tossed. The jerk that drove the ball into the guys head on the ground and the cheap elbow… both deserve longer suspensions. Too bad the punks will miss the final and I hope their team loses too
Ugly? Brazil #4 was an unrepentantthug. He should have been shown a second yellow much earlier.
The US left side of Acosta and Pelosi pretty much contolled that side except for a couple instances when Acost tried to get too cute. both of these players look they are not physically early maturers so have a lot of upside. Too bad #10 came out early with an injury, he looked solid. #9 Rodriques is skilled and strong. Hope he continues to improve.
I think more than 15 minutes were Brazil heavy. But not completely dominated or anything.
Brazil was better for about 15 minutes..once the US relaxed a little they became the better team.
+1 Mario is a stud but he’s not Kellen gulley
The US was the better team and deserved to win, but more importantly their play frustrated Brazil to the point that Brazil lost their composure.
The US was playing without it’s LB, and top forward Kellen Gulley.