Winners & Losers from USMNT’s chaotic Brazil draw in Copa America warmup
How do you like that? Gregg Berhalter might not be a disaster after all. It’s unclear how much can really be taken from this, the most chaotic of 1-1 draws, but it’s clear that the USMNT manager can piece together a tactical plan against a bit team when needed.
The USMNT turned in a much-improved showing from their 5-1 loss to Colombia just four days before. They defended well, attacked with real intent, and caused problems for the Selecao. They relied on Matt Tuner at times – excellent in goal. But also could have easily won it with some cleaner finishing.
They were the aggressors early. Yunus Musah rattled the bar from 30 yards. Christian Pulisic forced a smart save out of Alisson.
But another defensive breakdown saw Brazil take the lead. Turner played a ball into pressure, and the Selecao took advantage, forcing a turnover that ended with a fine finish into the bottom corner from Rodrygo. The USMNT responded, though, Pulisic smashing a free kick into the bottom corner from the top of the box.
What transpired after was something resembling chaos. Notions of control and composure often vanished, as two teams ran at each other without lacking the kind of clarity in key areas to ever look like doing anything. Pulisic will feel he should have scored at one end – putting a shot too close to the keeper while wide open. But Turner did his bit at the other, finishing the game with 10 saves.
At the end of it all, though, it is Berhalter who comes out looking good here, the USMNT slightly redeemed not long removed after one of his worst days at the helm.
WINNER: Gregg Berhalter
No one needed this more than Berhalter.
The critics were growing louder and louder, justifiably so. They’ll remain loud until the USMNT proves them wrong at the Copa America. This performance, though, will help as both Berhalter and the USMNT proved they can compete at this level.
Berhalter won the tactics battle, setting his side up to succeed against the mighty Brazil. He didn’t do it by bunkering or changing this team’s identity, either. No, the U.S. looked to play, and play they did, nearly earning a win in the process. So much has been made of Berhalter’s record against non-CONCACAF opponents and, while this wasn’t a win, it certainly felt like one.
“We challenged them,” Berhalter said. “We spoke to them both collectively and individually and challenged them for better performances. We never want to make excuses for a performance, so when you have conversations with the players, you don’t want to give them an out. When you represent the national team, with the pressure and the standard, against Colombia, we didn’t reach that standard, so we did have a challenge for the group. We want to focus on those two things and let everything else take care of itself.”
The haters will remain, and that certainly won’t change with one friendly draw. After the Colombia mess, though, Berhalter proved that he can get this team back on track.
LOSER: Dorival Junior
If one manager got it right, the other was certainly lacking in his decision-making. It is pretty obvious at this point: Dorival simply has to start Endrick for Brazil. They have two-thirds of a terrific forward line here, both Rodrygo and Vinicius are consistently world-class (even if the latter wasn’t at his best against the USMNT).
And Endrick, when he’s on the pitch, seems like the perfect third element. Unlike Raphinha or Savio, he is ferociously direct, a willing runner towards goal who lives within the width of the box. That’s what Brazil miss more than anything – a razor-sharp roaring edge to this attack that otherwise buzzes and hums.
Dorival made some other questionable calls here, too. He still hasn’t quite figured out who his holding midfielder should be – Bruno Guimaraes is best used in a roaming role. Meanwhile, the decision to start the out-of-touch Lucas Paqueta made little sense. The pressure on Brazil is immense. Dorival simply has to deliver, and he got it slightly wrong here.
WINNER: Christian Pulisic
Facing off with Brazil’s attacking superstars, Pulisic proved that he deserves a spot among the very best with yet another big-game performance. Rodrygo got Brazil’s goal and Vinicius Jr may get the Ballon d’Or, but don’t underestimate Pulisic.
He is a player that routinely makes his mark on the biggest of games. This was a friendly, of course, but it was a key one, particularly for the USMNT. After going behind early, the doubts from that 4-1 drubbing at the hands of Colombia could have set in. Pulisic didn’t let them.
“Christian has been a leader of this team since day one,” Berhalter said, “and I think he relishes that role … guys look to him for inspiration and I think the most important thing about Christian is, in moments like this, he’s going to step up because that’s what he does. He’s always focused on the team. He’s always focused on helping out and I think he had a great game overall, both offensively and defensively.”
His free-kick was a stunner, but it was one of several big moments from Pulisic, who was a menace all night. If he’s in this sort of form for the Copa, the USMNT will feel they have a chance against just about anyone in their paths.
WINNER: Rodrygo
Rodrygo continues to insist that he is not a centre forward or a right winger. And he might be right. In brief glimpses, the Brazilian has been excellent as a second striker or No.10. But those are only small glances.
Here, he played as a roaming striker – and was absolutely electric doing so. He toyed with the US backline, finding gaps and sneaking in the spaces between defenders. His goal was a wonderfully taken thing – a clinical touch and finish across a sprawling keeper. He could’ve had one or two more, with the edge of the post and then a sharp Matt Turner denying him the chance of putting the game beyond reach.
In the end, he was harshly removed for Gabriel Martinelli. Make no mistake, though, Rodrygo simply has to start for the Selecao at Copa America.
LOSER: Vinicius Jr
Vinicius really should win the Ballon d’Or. He has been pure magic for Real Madrid this year, chief creator, goalscorer, and big moment-provider – finding the net in the Champions League semi-finals and final. But he hasn’t quite figured it out for his national team, and seems to be running in place in yellow.
Those qualms weren’t exactly done away with here. Vinicius had his moments of quality, including some eye-catching runs and impressive flicks. But he lacked the usual sharpness in the final third, missing a couple of good chances and also making the wrong decision on a few occasions. He still only has three goals for his country, something he will have to change if they are to stand a chance this summer.
WINNER: Matt Turner
After his giveaway on Rodrygo’s opener, it felt like this could be a long day for Matt Turner. His lack of game time had seemingly caught up with him and, ahead of the Copa America, the concerns looked set to only grow louder.
After that one setback, though, Turner showed exactly why he remains the USMNT’s No. 1: he’s still very good at keeping the ball out of the back of the net.
“He stayed calm, and that’s the most important thing,” Berhalter said. “I thought he managed the game well. That was an incident that could have set him back a little bit with his confidence, but he responded really well to that. Matt was a guy that wasn’t so happy with his performance last game and you can see he came out and had a much better game”
Say what you want about his distribution, but Turner is a ridiculously good pure shot-stopper. He made a monstrous 10 saves, several of which weren’t particularly easy. Staring down Vinicius, Rodrygo, Raphinha and Endrick, Turner rarely blinked.
That’s huge for the USMNT, who will need Turner to be at least somewhat confident heading into the Copa.
“I don’t want to get too far ahead of myself because I know how quickly this game can humble you, but it was a good game,” Turner told TNT. “I thought I controlled a lot of areas of the game really well, in possession, out of possession, it was good overall. It was nice to bounce back after a tough game.”
And the USMNT’s response after a humiliating 5-1 trouncing by Colombia over the weekend wasn’t lost on Turner.
“Tactics don’t matter, who is out there doesn’t matter, it’s about representing something bigger than yourself,” he said. “And when you put on this crest, there’s a certain level of expectation. And we need to know that friendly or not, it doesn’t matter, you’re the USA, you’re going to play in Copa America, and you’re going to play against South American teams that don’t like you very much and want to prove a point. So we have to have a certain level of intensity every time we step out on the pitch that we lacked in the Colombia game but we had tonight.”
