HARRISON, N.J. — With the ugly shadow of this summer's Copa America quarter-final exit hanging over them on Saturday, Brazil impressed in their first match since the disappointing tournament run in Chile.
The Selecao may not have completely overwhelmed Costa Rica in their 1-0 win at Red Bull Arena, but they showed plenty of signs of improvement in their first of two September friendlies against CONCACAF opposition.
Brazil set the tone of the match from the outset, and they were rewarded with a goal in the 10th minute off the foot of Hulk. The massive forward outmuscled Giancarlo Gonzalez on the right side of the penalty area, retained his footing and powered home the lone strike of the match.