The United States Women’s National Team headed down to Brazil for a pair of friendlies, taking on the reigning Copa América champions. The first fixture, at São Paulo’s Neo Química Arena, ended in a disappointing 2-1 defeat. Sophia Wilson provided the lone finish, as the visiting side was unable to handle the intensity of the hosts.
Emma Hayes opted for Mandy McGlynn at goalkeeper, with Gisele Thompson, Tierna Davidson, Emily Fox, and Emily Sonnett on the back line. Alyssa Thompson, Claire Hutton,
Lindsey Heaps, and Lily Yohannes patrolled the midfield. Wilson and Trinity Rodman led the formation.
The USWNT got off to a quick start, taking the lead in the second minute. Swarming the opponent, Wilson pounced on a turnover and drove toward the top of the box. She perfectly placed her shot into the far bottom corner for her 25th international finish and first since October of 2024.
Brazil responded with a similar high press and managed to create a flurry of opportunities. After sustained activity, the tying tally arrived. Off a throw-in, Isabela Chagas hit a cross to a wide-open Tainá Maranhão, who easily headed past McGlynn.
Brazil took the lead a few moments later. Bia Zaneratto pounced on a loose ball and went on a long run into the final third, finding Dudinha in the box. The San Diego Wave attacker completed the give-and-go, as her teammate was able to convert from close range.
After a frenetic opening stanza, the match settled into a more stable pace. Both sides had their opportunities, but the run of play was mostly fixed in a midfield battle. The half ended with Brazil up 2-1.
The tenor picked after the break, with an increased pace and several chances in both final thirds. Zaneratto had a shot flare over the crossbar. Hutton saw her shot tipped over the bar by goalkeeper Letícia. Substitutes Avery Patterson and Michelle Cooper injected energy into proceedings and were causing problems for defenders with driving runs.
In the final 10 minutes, the physicality picked up, with fouls becoming a bit harder as legs became tired. In a humorous moment, Rodman picked up a yellow card for aiming a throw-in at Gio Queiroz. Shortly after, a tough tackle took her out of the match.
As the whistle blew on a hard-fought match that featured eight minutes of stoppage time, there were perhaps lingering sentiments that the USWNT could have produced more on the attack. However, Brazil could have just as easily pushed the lead to a several-goal margin with more composed finishing. Ultimately, 2-1 is a fair result that will drift into the ether of friendly history.
In a hostile environment, this is an important test for the USWNT, with Brazil’s tenacious press forcing errors and clearly putting the opponents out of sorts. In the opening 15 minutes of the match, Hayes’ back line was unable to gain traction and struggled getting the ball into the advanced zones in the face of immediate challenges. Additionally, the host’s lightning-fast transition game turned proceedings into a track meet, which saw the Americans lose the athletic battle; a rare occurrence, to be sure.
The ongoing battle to be the number-one goalkeeper continues to remain open. McGlynn had a few shaky moments and failed to deliver a superlative performance that would have cemented her leading status; however, a late save on a Gio Queiroz breakaway was impressive. Claudia Dickey could perhaps get the nod in the next fixture.
The USWNT returns to action on Tuesday for the second friendly of this series, this time at the Castelão in Fortaleza. However, the true test will come in the fall at the 2026 CONCACAF W Championship, at which World Cup qualification will be determined. Lessons in losses are fine for now, but not forever.
