The U.S. national team spent Friday night chasing Brazilians and learning a harsh, but needed lesson from a better, more experienced side
If June's 1-1 draw with eventual World Cup winner France was a confidence booster for the U.S. national team's young generation, then Friday's 2-0 to Brazil was the harsh but necessary reminder of just how unforgiving international soccer can be at the highest level.
The Brazilians toyed with the USMNT for the better part of 90 minutes at MetLife Stadium, displaying the obligatory level of quality you come to expect from the Selecao. This Brazil team isn't just good, it's also experienced, with Tite's side featuring many of the same players who started at the 2018 World Cup, including Neymar, who raced around the field like a player eager to put on some highlight reel plays on a nervous U.