USA U-23's vs. Brazil: Final score 1-2, Brazil dominant despite flattering scoreline

The United States under-23 National Team lost the first of two friendlies to Brazil on Wednesday night. After a dominant first half by the hosts, a red card and a penalty in favor of the U.S. made the 2-1 score a little bit flattering.

The match began with Brazil camped inside the American's half, but not really creating many opportunities. The U.S. enjoyed a few minor spells of possession in the opening quarter of an hour themselves but nothing came of it. The best chance for either side in the first 15 minutes of play came from an in-direct free kick in the American's penalty area that was given because Charlie Horton held onto the ball for longer than the allotted six seconds. The resulting Brazilian effort was cannoned off the wall.

Brazil continued to dominate the match throughout the first half forcing Horton into a couple of diving saves from long range shots. The U.S. barely touched the ball let alone formed any sort of attack. Wave after wave of attack crashed into the American's defensive third and finally Brazil broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute. A cutting ball behind the U.S. back line found Gabriel Jesus in space and the forward rounded the helpless Horton and slid the ball into the gaping net.

After the goal the U.S. finally touched the the ball a few times and even almost entered Brazil's box once. The halftime whistle blew with the hosts holding a one-goal advantage.

Brazil scored a wonder goal with their first attack of the second half. Luan's curling one-time effort from the right side of the box nestled perfectly into the corner of the net to double their lead.

I hear Lethal Weapon is on TV. But I'm watching this match instead. The sacrifices I make for you guys...

Jerome Kiesewetter used his pace to pressure Brazilian defender Doria in his own box to steal the ball and draw a penalty all in one motion in the 57th minute. The foul earn the defender a second yellow leaving Brazil with 10 men for the last half hour. The VfB Stuttgart man took it upon himself to take the penalty and buried it confidently into the top right hand corner to cut Brazil's lead in half.

With the opposition a man short the match became a fair fight and the possession battled even out, although Brazil still had their fair share of attacking opportunities. 

Despite seeing a spike in their possession percentage, the Americans resorted to safe passes around the midfield and back to their defenders not really threatening Brazil's back line. A few desperation attempts to equalize came up short and the U.S. drop their first of two friendlies in November.