The United States Men's National Team (USMNT) is about to face one of the biggest challenges in their preparation for the 2024 Copa América: a friendly match against five-time World Cup champion Brazil. This match will take place at Camping World Stadium in Orlando and promises to be a true test for the American team.
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The history between the two teams is clearly in favor of Brazil, with the USMNT having only one victory in 19 matches against the Seleção. That single victory occurred in the 1998 Concacaf Gold Cup, with a memorable performance by goalkeeper Kasey Keller. Since then, the United States has faced a streak of 11 consecutive defeats against the South Americans.
Despite the unfavorable track record, the match against Brazil offers a valuable opportunity for the USMNT to measure their strength before the start of the Copa América. The team, led by Gregg Berhalter, needs to demonstrate resilience and quality to face such a high-caliber opponent. This friendly is more than just preparation; it's the comeback game after the disaster against Colombia.
After the friendly against Brazil, the USMNT will head to Dallas, where they will begin their Copa América campaign against Bolivia on June 23. This will be followed by matches against Panama in Atlanta and Uruguay in Kansas City. Facing high-quality teams like these, especially Brazil, is crucial for the development and preparation of the American team.
The USMNT has players with significant international experience, including defenders Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson, who play alongside midfielder Andreas Pereira at Fulham, and Weston McKennie and Tim Weah, who have Brazilian teammates at Juventus, such as Danilo and Bremer. These international connections bring an additional level of competition and familiarity, which can be beneficial for the USMNT.
The clash against Brazil is undoubtedly a monumental task. However, it is precisely this type of challenge that can strengthen the team and prepare them for the tough battles of the Copa América. All eyes will be on Orlando, Florida, on June 12, when the United States will face one of the giants of world football.