USMNT surprises and draw with Brazil puts Brazilian press on alert

The Brazilian press heavily criticized the draw between the United States and Brazil. While the result was commendable given the intense pressure the Stars & Stripes were under going into the game, for the Brazilians, it was considered almost an embarrassment.

After the match against Colombia, many believed Brazil could score many goals, especially with top-level players in every position. That didn’t happen. In front of 60,016 people, the largest crowd for a U.S. game in Florida, whether men's or women's, the USMNT secured their first draw against Brazil, ending a streak of 11 consecutive defeats.

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Many blamed Alisson for Christian Pulisic's goal, even though the goalkeeper redeemed himself in the second half with some good saves. The American team could have emerged victorious, but it wasn’t meant to be. The draw achieved by the U.S. raised concerns for the Brazilian press, given the upcoming Copa América 2024.

In their last four matches, Brazil scored eight goals and conceded six, including Pulisic's goal. Even neighboring Argentina noted that the Brazilian team didn’t end their preparations for the Copa América in the best way. Who would have imagined? Just a few days ago, the USMNT was heavily criticized for poor results and performances, but they managed to turn things around against the five-time world champions.

Gregg Berhalter's job was on the line, but the impressive draw for the U.S. and the disappointing result for Brazil changed that. The Stars & Stripes showed resilience, even against Brazil's relentless attacks. The defense formed a wall, with a six-man defensive line, also bolstered by Turner's excellent performance. The heavy atmosphere shifted with the team’s determination to achieve a positive result. They didn’t just sit back but also attacked, nearly turning the game in their favor.

The 1-1 draw, embarrassing for the Brazilians, was a huge relief for the USMNT. Berhalter likely felt the heat again in a good way. It's a positive sign for what lies ahead and an important step for the team to find balance as they approach Copa América 2024.