FOXBOROUGH, Mass. – The US national team suffered the back breaker just five minutes into Tuesday’s friendly against Brazil.
After returning to the pitch from halftime down just 1-0 to the international powerhouse, the Americans were at least within a strike of squaring things up despite their opponent dominating for much of the first 45 minutes.
But key halftime subs, which included Barcelona star Neymar, had Brazil charging once again out of the second-half gate, drawing a key penalty kick that sparked a three-goal second half in their 4-1 win over the Yanks at Gillette Stadium.
Just five minutes into the half, Neymar received a booming long ball from David Luiz out of the back and brought it into the left side of the box. US right back Geoff Cameron was able to catch Neymar from behind, but after some contact between the two, the referee pointed to the spot.
“I did touch the ball,” said Cameron, explaining his side of the event. “Actually, he jumped over my legs. But Neymar’s got the pedigree, he’s experienced enough, and maybe at the time I slowed down and not put my leg out and the ref made the decision.”
The resulting play had the ever-dangerous Brazilian striker standing on the spot for a penalty kick. And though his effort, low and to the left, caught the fingertips of Brad Guzan, it had plenty of mustard behind it to find the twine and sink the hopes of the US.
“First half I think we did it really good,” midfielder Jermaine Jones said. “Second half, with the penalty, then it’s tough to come back against a team like that. … The second goal killed us. It showed us that this team is heavy to come back [against].”
From that point the Americans were on their heels, unable to keep up with their fast-paced counterparts for much of the remainder of the game. More US mistakes followed, and the Brazil rout was on.
“If you then make simple mistakes because maybe you get a little bit heavy legs or you make the wrong decision, like the penalty, then you get basically your neck broken,” head coach Jurgen Klinsmann said. “The second goal was unnecessary. I thought after halftime, a little bit with five minutes into a good moment, and then comes this penalty and that broke our neck.”
