Brazil thrashes USA in final tune-up before Mexico playoff clash
The U.S. men's national team heads to next month's Confederations Cup playoff against rival Mexico after being thoroughly schooled.
Brazil thrashed the U.S. 4-1 at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Massachusetts, as Neymar scored twice off the bench in the second half during a one-sided performance.
The U.S. was attempting to beat Brazil for the second time ever, but that quest got off to a rocky start, as Hulk put Brazil ahead inside of nine minutes. Willian's cross from the right hit off the post and bounced right to Hulk, who cut back to create space and powered home the opener.
Despite the overwhelming advantage, Brazil only carried a 1-0 lead into halftime, but Barcelona superstar Neymar came on as a second-half substitute and made an instant impact. After latching onto a great long pass from David Luiz, Neymar was tripped up by Geoff Cameron in the box. He converted the ensuing penalty in the 51st minute to double the lead.
Rafinha then scored with nearly his first touch in the 64th minute after coming off the bench, and Neymar added a second three minutes later, with both using nifty footwork and control in the box to beat Brad Guzan and further frustrate the Americans by extending the edge to 4-0.
Neymar, still just 23, now has 46 goals in 67 games in his international career.
Danny Williams salvaged some pride for the U.S. with a long-range blast in the final moments of the match to get the Americans on the board.
The U.S. turns its attention now to Mexico, with the winner of their Oct. 10 clash at the Rose Bowl heading to the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup in Russia.
Here's how the match unfolded:
ROSTERS
USA
GOALKEEPERS: Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Everton), Sean Johnson (Chicago Fire)
DEFENDERS: Ventura Alvarado (Club America), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Greg Garza (Atlas), Omar Gonzalez (LA Galaxy), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), Tim Ream (Fulham), Jonathan Spector (Birmingham City)
MIDFIELDERS: Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Joe Corona (Veracruz), Mix Diskerud (New York City FC), Jermaine Jones (New England Revolution), Alfredo Morales (FC Ingolstadt), Danny Williams (Reading), DeAndre Yedlin (Sunderland)
FORWARDS: Jozy Altidore (Toronto FC), Aron Johannsson (Werder Bremen), Jordan Morris (Stanford University), Bobby Wood (Union Berlin), Andrew Wooten (SV Sandhausen), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy)
Brazil
GOALKEEPERS: Jefferson (Botafogo), Marcelo Grohe (Gremio), Alisson (Internacional)
DEFENDERS: David Luiz (PSG), Marquinhos (PSG), Miranda (Inter Milan), Marcelo (Real Madrid) Gabriel Paulista (Arsenal), Daniel Alves (Barcelona), Filipe Luiz (Atletico Madrid), Danilo (Real Madrid), Douglas Santos (Atlético Mineiro)
MIDFIELDERS: Luis Gustavo (Wolfsburg), Fernandinho (Manchester City), Elias (Corinthians), Ramirez (Chelsea), Oscar (Chelsea), Firmino (Liverpool), Willian (Chelsea), Kaká (Orlando City SC), Lucas Lima (Santos), Philippe Coutinho (Liverpool)
FORWARDS: Neymar (Barcelona), Lucas (PSG), Hulk (Zenit St. Petersburg), Douglas Costa (Bayern Munich)