Matt Turner and His Exceptional Performance Against Brazil
USMNT and Brazil tied 1-1 in a friendly match full of goal opportunities for both teams, with American goalkeeper Matt Turner being the standout player.
The preparatory match for the Copa América, which begins on June 20, was held at Camping World Stadium in Orlando (Florida, United States) with all tickets sold out.
Among the Brazilians were Real Madrid forwards Vinicius, Endrick, and Rodrygo, who are looking to win the Cup held by Argentina’s Leo Messi, who won it at the Maracanã in Rio de Janeiro in 2021.
The Americans came into the match after losing 1-5 to Colombia last Saturday in a game where they showed deficiencies and insecurities and where only Timothy Weah scored against the Colombian goal.
Meanwhile, Brazil came from defeating Mexico 3-2 last Sunday.
Coach Gregg Berhalter’s team played in a 4-3-3 formation, while the South Americans had Vinicius as the forward in a 4-2-3-1.
After fifteen minutes of play in which both teams had scares with dangerous shots and following some flashes of brilliance from Vinicius, the Canarinha took the lead with a left-footed shot from Rodrygo.
The Real Madrid South Americans continued to threaten Turner’s goal.
But the locals managed to get close to Alisson Becker’s area and provoked a foul at the edge of the box, which Christian Pulisic converted into a goal with a set-piece play, allowing the American captain to score with a low and precise right-footed shot in the 26th minute.
Several shots from Rodrygo troubled Turner, but the Americans closed in a solid defense without gaps while Brazil displayed their passing game in front of the opposing area without being able to score.
In the second half, Rodrygo continued shooting and almost scored a spectacular overhead kick.
Brazil maintained dominance, executing series of short, quick, and precise passes that besieged the host’s goal but without causing any damage.
Brazilian sensation Endrick, who will turn 18 on July 21 as Real Madrid's new signing and scored the winning goal in stoppage time against Mexico, came on in the 65th minute and was almost able to score right away.
Endrick was not a starter because Brazil’s coach, Dorival Júnior, undefeated with two wins and a draw in charge of the national team, preferred to reserve him to avoid “rushing” because “a mistake can be fatal” and patience is needed, he said in a press conference the day before the match.
Pulisic and Endrick took turns creating dangerous plays for both teams, with the Brazilian initiating sharp attacks.
Both teams continued to create chances until the final whistle in a match where the American goalkeeper redeemed himself with crucial saves that prevented a Brazilian victory, after having conceded five goals from Colombia last Saturday.
