The USWNT wanted a fight in Brazil and its World C...
Key takeaways
- No team discussion or training-ground drill can replicate that kind of pressure.
- But a strong response in the second half also showed mettle.
- Sophia Wilson scored the opening goal for the USWNT less than two minutes into the match, and rest of the half was almost entirely waves of Brazilian pressure that made it feel like the earth had fallen off its axis.
Why this matters: a sports story that could shift standings, legacies, or fan conversations.
No team discussion or training-ground drill can replicate that kind of pressure.
The United States women's national team got smacked in the face with that animosity on Saturday at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo in a 2-1 friendly loss to Brazil -- its first game in the country since the 2016 Olympics -- and the first-half struggles will leave an indelible impression on the relatively inexperienced squad ahead of the 2027 World Cup. But a strong response in the second half also showed mettle.
Sophia Wilson scored the opening goal for the USWNT less than two minutes into the match, and rest of the half was almost entirely waves of Brazilian pressure that made it feel like the earth had fallen off its axis.