Brazil and the United States played to a 1-1 draw in a friendly match in Orlando on Wednesday, serving as the final tune-up for both teams before the Copa America.
The United States, eager to bounce back from a heavy 5-1 defeat to Colombia last weekend, managed to avoid defeat against Brazil for only the second time in their last 20 encounters with the five-time World Cup champions.
“There was a lot of talk amongst the players after the 5-1 loss to Colombia,” U.S. goalkeeper Matt Turner told TNT Sports. “We need to know, friendly or not, it doesn’t matter. You’re the U.S., you’re going to play in Copa America, you’re going to play against South American teams that don’t like you very much and want to prove a point. We have to have a certain level of intensity every time we step out onto the pitch that we lacked in the Colombia game but had tonight.”
Brazil took the lead in the 17th minute, capitalizing on a misplaced clearance by Turner. Raphinha seized the opportunity, setting up Real Madrid forward Rodrygo for a clean finish.
The U.S. responded in the 26th minute when Christian Pulisic equalized, firing a low free kick past Alisson at the near post after being fouled just outside the box.
“It was a tough game. You always want to win, but because it’s a warm-up, you have to try not to lose,” Rodrygo told TV Globo. “They gave us a hard time, but we also created a lot. We just lacked a bit of flair. We have to carry on like this, train hard to do well at the Copa America.”
The Copa America will be held in the United States from June 20 to July 14. Nine-time champions Brazil will start their Group D campaign against Costa Rica on June 24, followed by matches against Paraguay and Colombia. The U.S. will face Bolivia on June 23 in Group C, before taking on Panama and Uruguay.
