INGLEWOOD, Calif. -- The US Women’s National Team beat Brazil 2-0 Saturday afternoon, at SoFi stadium, in what turned out to be a dynamic yet physical friendly.
Manager Emma Hayes started all three of the squad’s Southern California natives, with Trinity Rodman, Catarina Macario and Alyssa Thompson leading the line. And in the 5th minute, it paid off.
After Brazil turned the ball over in midfield, Alyssa Thompson cut inside past a defender before a brilliant, incisive through-ball split the Brazilian defense and found Trinity Rodman on the edge of the box. A clever finish with outside of her foot beat Brazilian keeper, Lorena, and snuck into the bottom corner of the goal.
The US continued to threaten each time they entered the final third, but some sloppy mistakes on the defensive side offered Brazil their fair share of chances. Clever combinations and threatening crosses added to Brazil’s opportunities, but poor finishing let them down and they were never able to capitalize.
It was a dynamic that carried over into the second half, with Brazil hitting the post shortly after the restart, before midfielder Gio embarked on a mazy run into the USWNT’s box, only for her shot to go awry.
As frustration built, challenges grew more reckless and tensions rose. Brazil would finish the day with 5 yellow cards, but not before their physicality culminated in a 66th minute penalty, converted by Lindsey Heap.
From there, it was a procedural affair for the US, as they locked down possession while Brazil snatched at ever dwindling chances. Despite being shaky when transitioning from their own third, the USWNT always looked threatening going forward, something which left Hayes satisfied. “We lead from the front line” she said after the game.
On Tuesday, the two teams will meet again in San Jose, where Brazil will go into the game hungry to settle the score - something that isn’t lost on the Americans. “You have to earn the right to play against a team like Brazil”, Hayes told reporters. On Saturday, the US did exactly that.