The United States Men’s National Team, which disappointingly only included five Major League Soccer players, was completely outclassed in a 2-0 loss to Brazil.
Neymar and Alexando Pato, who were both left off the since-fired Dunga’s 2010 FIFA World Cup roster this summer, scored first-half goals to lead Brazil to the victory.
Brazil toyed with the Americans and peppered the goal with shots that narrowly missed or were well saved by former MLS goalkeepers Tim Howard and Brad Guzan, however, the complexion of the game could have changed if the referee, Silviu Petrescu, awarded the Americans a penalty.
Landon Donovan of the Los Angeles Galaxy received a great cutback pass from his club teammate, Edson Buddle, and with his first touch he got in behind the Brazilian defenders only to be clipped on his way through to goal, but Petrescu incorrectly motioned to play on.
Jonathan Bornstein of Chivas USA and the Los Angeles Galaxy’s Omar Gonzalez were the only two MLS players to play the full 90 minutes for the likely-to-be dismissed Bob Bradley.
Real Salt Lake’s Robbie Findley was the only other MLS player that picked to participate in this one-sided friendly.
Buddle was replaced at half-time by former New York Red Bull, Jozy Altidore, while Findley came on for Donovan after 62 minutes.
MLS Player Ratings
Jonathan Bornstein – 5
Had a hard time keeping up with the pacey Brazilian wingers, and was exposed by some neat passing. The left-back always seemed to be scrambling to get back, and his failure to track the runs left the center-backs and the goalkeeper exposed to Brazil’s relentless attack.
Edson Buddle – 6
Great pass to Donovan in the early going, but began to drift off into no man’s land once Brazil started controlling the possession. To be fair to the leading scorer in the league, he was not given the service he deserved, which contributed to the impotence in the American attack.
Landon Donovan – 7
Continues to be the most consistent threat Should have had a penalty, which he would have taken himself and more than likely add to his already all-time goal scoring record. Combined well with Edu and Buddle in the early going to cause the Brazilian back-four some issues, but it came to no avail.
Robbie Findley – 4
Came on for Donovan with just under a half-hour to play, but like he did at the 2010 FIFA World Cup, he failed to make impact. He was unable to click with his strike partner (Altidore) to trouble the Brazilian defenders.
Omar Gonzalez – 5
Was thrown straight to the wolves in his first international cap against the mighty Brazil, and he was at fault for failing to track the run that led to their first goal. Pato also used a clever run to get in between him and Carlos Bocanegra. Was fortunate to not have been on the receiving of an absolute lambasting by the Samba Kings.
After this performance, it clearly shows how much the United States Men’s has to improve to compete with the world football powers like Brazil, and to do that, they will need the majority of their players to consistently play with one another on the club level.
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