Report: USMNT to play Brazil, Mexico in September

The United States appear to be finalizing a monster schedule for the first post-World Cup set of friendlies. According to a report yesterday by ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle, the USMNT is set to host Brazil and Mexico in huge friendlies in September. The two matches will take place sometime during the FIFA international window, which runs September 3-11.

The USMNT last played Brazil in Foxboro in September 2015, where Neymar notched a brace in a 4-1 Brazil beatdown. The USMNT’s previous encounter with archrivals Mexico came during last year’s World Cup qualifying, a 1-1 draw at Estadio Azteca.

The post-World Cup schedule is figuring to be a daunting one. Adding Brazil and Mexico to a schedule that already features matches against England and Italy in November would be incredible tests for what would likely be a younger group of American players and a new head coach. Add to that their pre-World Cup schedule of Bolivia, Ireland, and France, and you have a schedule that’s among the toughest the USMNT has ever seen outside of major competition. It remains to be seen what players will suit up in red, white, and blue for these matches, but the road to Qatar (?) 2022 starts in earnest in September. And beginning of that road will reportedly be very difficult.