Leave it to Ronaldinho to spoil the celebration. The Brazilian superstar broke a late deadlock with a tremendous free kick goal, giving Brazil a 4-2 win against the U.S. national team in front of 43,543 fans at Soldier Field.
Goals from Carlos Bocanegra and Clint Dempsey had twice answered goals from Brazil, from a first-half own goal and a Lucio header from a Ronaldinho corner kick. But Ronaldinho's dead-ball wizardry gave Brazil the lead with 15 minutes to play, before a late penalty kick converted by Elano provided the final goal.
From the start, the USA were under tremendous pressure. In just the sixth minute, Brazil's Robinho sent a shot at goal, but it hit the outside netting. In the 16th minute Robinho sent a back pass to Ronaldinho who tried to send it through to goal, but before anyone else could get there, U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard grabbed it.
The U.S. finally had an opportunity in the 21st minute on their first corner kick. Landon Donovan sent the ball into the middle of the goal area as Bocanegra slipped into the area unmarked. The defender attempted to kick the ball, but it bounced off his right side and into the net for a 1-0 U.S. lead for his seventh career goal and his second against Brazil).
With the assist, Donovan (22 points) broke a single-season U.S. scoring record held by Cobi Jones (21 points).
In the 28th and 29th minutes, Brazil had back-to-back free kicks. Ronaldinho sent the first one to Afonso, who headed it directly at goal, but Howard smothered it. On the second kick, Ronaldinho sent it bouncing off the wall of white-clad bodies and back into play.
Howard and the U.S. defense had a strong performance until a miscommunication in the 33rd minute. An incredible flowing movement from their own half of the field, with no less than a nine-pass combination, concluded with Kaka taking a short-range shot from the left side of the area. Howard blocked it, sending it straight out from goal -- right toward Oguchi Onyewu. The ball bounced off the defender's chest and into the net for an own goal, tying the game at 1-1.
Just before the half, Robinho found himself in trouble. The striker made a run for goal, battling the USA's Onyewu. Onyewu stole the ball away and Robinho leapt up and fell to the ground, receiving a diving call. When he finally got up, referee Armando Archundia of Mexico rewarded him with a yellow card.
After the second half restart, Brazil wasted only a couple of minutes before scoring. In the 54th minute, Ronaldinho sent a corner to the right side of the box. Lucio jumped up and headed it into the left corner of the net over a leaping Howard for a 2-1 lead. Trying to make the save, Howard jammed his hand against the crossbar, resulting in a dislocated left ring finger. The training staff popped it back in and taped it up, keeping Howard in the game.
The USA had a real chance in the 67th minute. Clint Dempsey blasted the ball at Brazil goalkeeper Doni, who knocked it back into play. Josh Wolff made a run for the loose ball, and went down under a heavy challenge in the penalty area, but Archundia saw no infraction and waved play on.
But in the 73rd minute, the USA made it 2-2. Steve Cherundulo made a run down the right, passing the ball to Dempsey at the penalty spot. Dempsey sent a one-time effort past Doni into the left side of the net.
Yet two minutes later, Brazil scored again. From a freekick some 25 yards out from the right-hand post, Ronaldinho scored an absolute world-class goal. He whipped the ball low over the left side of the wall, the ball diving downward as it nestled into the side netting just inside the left post as Howard dived in vain to try and keep it out.
Brazil began to display some of their trademark technical ability over the final minutes, as the USA could not get possession of the ball. Then in the first minute of injury time, the USA's Michael Bradley tackled Julio Baptista in the box, and this time Archundia gave Brazil the penalty kick. Elano easily converted it, sending it into the left corner for the final 4-2 advantage.
Game Recap
USA vs. Brazil
September 9, 2007
International Friendly
Soldier Field - Chicago, Illinois
Attendance: 43,543
Weather: Clear, 76 degrees
Scoring:
USA - Carlos Bocanegra (Landon Donovan) 21st minute.
BRA - Oguchi Onyewu (own goal) 33.
BRA - Lucio (Ronaldinho) 53.
USA - Clint Dempsey (Steve Cherundolo) 73
BRA - Ronaldinho (unassisted) 75
BRA - Elano (penalty kick) 92+
Lineups:
USA: 1-Tim Howard; 6-Steve Cherundolo, 22-Oguchi Onyewu, 3-Carlos Bocanegra (capt.), 2-Heath Pearce (21-Davy Arnaud, 86); 4-Michael Bradley, 5-Benny Feilhaber (15-Bobby Convey, 70), 10-Landon Donovan, 7-DaMarcus Beasley; 16-Josh Wolff (9-Eddie Johnson, 70); 8-Clint Dempsey
Subs not used: 24-Chris Seitz, 17-Jonathan Spector, 19-Kerry Zavagnin, 23-Jay Demerit
Head Coach: Bob Bradley
BRA: 1-Doni; 2-Maicon (13-Daniel Alves, 64), 3-Lucio (capt.), 4-Juan (14-Edu Dracena, 46), 6-Gilberto; 5-Mineiro, 8-Gilberto Silva; 7-Kaká (20-Julio Baptista, 70), 11-Robinho (19-Elano, 78), 10-Ronaldinho (21-Diego, 85); 9-Afonso (22-Vagner Love, 64)
Subs not used: 12-Julio Cesar, 15-Gladstone, 16-Kleber, 17-Fernando, 18-Josue,
Head Coach: Dunga
Stats Summary: USA/BRA
Shots: 11 /9
Saves: 3/2
Corner Kicks: 5/3
Fouls: 19/13
Offside: 1/3
Misconduct Summary:
BRA - Robinho (caution) 45+ minute.
USA - Carlos Bocanegra (caution) 75
BRA - Gilberto (caution) 85
Officials:
Referee: Armando Archundia (MEX)
First Asst.: Hector Delgadillo (MEX)
Second Asst.: Marvin Torrentera (MEX)
Fourth Official: Baldomero Toledo (USA)
Kathryn L. Knapp is a contributor to MLSnet.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Soccer or its clubs.
