The U.S. women’s national team suffered a heartbreaking loss to ends its April window.
Emma Hayes’ squad fell 2-1 to Brazil in the second of their pair of friendly matches in California during this international break. Catarino Macario scored the lone USWNT goal in the result.
Did you think Trinity Rodman’s fifth-minute goal at SoFi Stadium in LA was fast? The USWNT got off to an even quicker start at a sold-out PayPal Park in San Jose. Again, Alyssa Thompson did the hard work with a long run inside from the wing, with Macario applying the finishing touch this time around. Within one minute, the USWNT was up 1-0.
It marked the fastest goal in USWNT history, per USSF.
This time though, Brazil would fight back, eventually punishing the hosts after repeated giveaways in their own half. Gio Garbellini provided a cheeky throughball assist, causing Tara McKeown to run straight into USWNT teammate Claire Hutton, while Kerolin guided home a curling finish.
Still, Brazil had problems defensively. Same as at SoFi, Thompson would not relent. Brazilian manager Arthur Elias responded by subbing off two of his three defenders with nearly ten minutes remaining in the opening half.
The changes allowed Brazil to control a mostly disjointed second half for both sides. Late in stoppage time, Amanda Gutierrez capitalized to score the dagger for a 2-1 Brazil win. It marked the first Brazil win over the USWNT since 2014.
The USWNT closes the international break with one win and one loss against the No. 8 ranked team in the world.
I can see why the USWNT schedule these matches vs a team like Brazil and then I also wonder why?
Constructive in some of the younger players get thrown in the deep end against a skilled physical team. Some perform like A. Thompson but even she has Findleyespue finishing and vision. Still she flat out competed and bossed the first half
I finally saw the qualities Macario possesses. She offered outstanding hold up play and distribution. Still she is not that fast but very tough.
Hayes had a good look at LilyY in the first half. She had a few great line breaking passes but jogged back on defense after a turnover. You cannot play for the senior squad and jog after a turnover!!!
The younger players got a real feel for how competitive Brazil was and how much it meant to them. They want to win and flat do whatever it takes in a friendly.
Tip of the Cap to the Mexican ref Garcia who called a great game in the first one.
OTOH, the Costa Rican ref Araya last night was absolutely terrible, and lucky there weren’t more injuries. She was as bad as it gets.
Officiating continues to be the #1 issue is world football imho