The United States National Team hosted Brazil last night at the New Meadowlands, and the young Selecao squad showed the veteran-laden Americans just how much work they need before the five-time World Cup champs host the tourney four years from now. And if last night’s 2-0 loss means anything, they need a lot.
Fifteen of the 18 U.S. players had been in the World Cup, and from a lack of possession to leaky defense, they showed the same flaws that cost them in South Africa. And Brazil’s talented teens exposed and exploited them in a samba-style beating that could very well be Bob Bradley’s last as U.S. coach, with his contract talks up in the air and an EPL possibility looming.
“It was a good experience for our younger guys to realize what it takes not only at the national team level, but then playing against Brazil _ and that’s a whole different animal,” said Landon Donovan. “We learned a lot, but we’re at a point where it’s not good enough to learn and wait: We need to do better.”
Brazil _ which used just four World Cup players _ outshot the U.S. 20-7, getting goals from Santos debutante Neymar, 18, and AC Milan forward Pato, just 20. In the 29th minute, Neymar beat fullback Jonathan Bornstein to an Andre Santos cross for a header, and in the 46th minute Pato took a Ramires through-ball and rounded keeper Tim Howard.
New Brazil coach Mano Menezes delivered the promised return to Jogo Bonito, in front of 77,223 at the $1.6 billion New Meadowlands. Still, there were also lessons to be learned for the players that’ll contend in the next World Cup, like Donovan, Jozy Altidore and Bradley, who received the captain’s armband in the 62nd minute for the first time in his international career.
“To be the captain of the national team, it doesn’t get any better. It’s a great honor,” said the younger Bradley. “It’s a great experience, playing Brazil in front of 77,000 fans. If every guy takes away a little something, in four years when we step on the field in the World Cup, all these experiences start to add up.”
But will the elder Bradley be in charge in four years, or even four weeks? His contract expires at the end of the year and he’ll just now open serious talks with the U.S. Soccer Federation about his deal; but British bookmakers have installed him as the favorite to take over Premier League club Aston Villa, owned by Brooklyn-born Cleveland Browns owner Randy Lerner.
“My contract is through the end of the year; it’s no problem for me. I’ll be thinking later tonight about those (2010) games,” said the elder Bradley. “There’ll be a discussion. We’ll figure out what the future means but while I’m on the job (we’ll work).”
