The USMNT vs. Brazil matchup on Friday will be the 19th time the two titans clash. Although the U.S. has only won one match and lost 17 against the Sambas so far, New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium is moments away from witnessing one of the most historic New World soccer spectacles — and I’m not referring to Neymar flopping about like a fish.
The U.S. and Brazil share quite the intimate relationship, with Pelé, Brazil and soccer’s most beloved legend, being a pioneer in American soccer. In the '70s, Pele’s joined the New York Cosmos in a pivotal moment in U.S. soccer and the sports' evolution. However, when it comes to facing Brazil, the USMNT has unfortunately lost 10 times in a row, which brings us to this moment: a rundown of the USMNT vs Brazil lineups and rosters.
One thing to keep in mind for all us U.S. soccer fans is interim coach Dave Sarachan. Critics will be on the hunt for any fault, especially as the U.S. searches for a permanent manager, and Sarachan faces a tough decision on whether to use a five-man defense as we saw against France or spice things up for the attack as the match is on home soil. It’s going to be tricky folks.
USMNT vs Brazil Lineups Breakdown
Notable Clubs and Leagues
USMNT
Kellyn Acosta – Colorado Rapids (MLS)
Timothy Weah – Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1)
Zack Steffen – Colombus Crew SC (MLS)
DeAndre Yedlin – Newcastle United (EPL)
John Brooks– Wolfsburg (Bundesliga)
Shaq Moore –Reus Deportiu FC (Spain's Segundo Division)
Andrija Novakovich - Fortuna Sittard (Dutch Eredivisie)
Julian Green - Greuther Furth (Bundesliga's second division)
Being PSG teammates with Neymar doesn’t phase Weah. The 18-year-old is hyped to face off against his club.
Tim Weah is pumped to go toe-to-toe with his @PSG_English teammates @neymarjr, @marquinhos_m5 and @tsilva3 on Friday, when the USMNT takes on Brazil. pic.twitter.com/E8TLEmoxO9
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) September 5, 2018
Brazil
Neymar – Paris Saint-Germain (Ligue 1)
Philippe Coutinho – Barcelona FC (La Liga)
Alisson Becker & Roberto Firmino – Liverpool (EPL)
Filipe Luis – Atletico Madrid (La Liga)
Alex Sandro – Juventus (Serie A)
Fred and Andreas Pereira - Manchester United (EPL)
Both of the USMNT vs Brazil lineups have a wide range in international soccer with a presence in all the major leagues. The U.S. team has more domestic presence as a great portion plays in MLS. Internationally, Brazil’s main league, Campeonato Brasileiro Serie A or commonly known as Brasileirao, doesn’t garner that much attention which gives MLS a stronger holding on the league popularity front. The USMNT's full lineup can be found here.
Age
The current USMNT’s average age is 23 whereas Brazil’s national team roster currently has an average age of 25.5. The 2.5-year discrepancy doesn’t point out to physical fitness advantages let alone giving way to any indication of playing dominance. The match history between the two nations mentioned above would be the biggest indication to that. Again, out of 18 matches, the USMNT has lost 17 times and only won once. This coming 19th battle won’t make a dent in the numbers either regardless of the U.S. winning or losing.
USMNT’s youngest player is none other than 18-year-old Timothy Weah, followed by 19-year-old Tyler Adams. Christian Pulisic, also 19, will miss Friday night's game with injury.
MATCHDAY!
Brazil is set to face USA in New Jersey, in the first post-World Cup match, which signals the start of a new era in a team mixed between regular first-teamers and promising rising talents.#FechadoComASeleção pic.twitter.com/a1sBrWJKzh— Seleção Brasileira (@BrazilStat) September 7, 2018
Brazil's youngest player is Flamengo goalkeeper Hugo, 19, followed by his club teammate midfielder Lucas Paquetá, 21, who is only a few months younger than Everton's Richarlison, who recently received his first call-up with Brazil.
Defender Eric Lichaj, 29, is the oldest player on the USMNT roster while Felipe Luís is the oldest on Brazil's roster. Felipe Luís, 33, is just a month older than Thiago Silva.
Silverware
USMNT
When it comes to the World Cup, the Yanks’ best result was reaching the semifinals in 1930 placing third. In more contemporary times, the USMNT’s best finish was reaching the quarterfinals in 2002, which had them at eighth place.
Funny enough, the biggest win was also in 1930, with 3-0 victories over both Belgium and Paraguay. The biggest loss was in the second World Cup in 1934 against Italy, a 7-1 defeat in the opening round. The team’s best efforts in Copa America are placing fourth in both the 1995 and 2016 competitions.
The U.S. is a six-time CONCACAF champion with a first triumph in 1991. The other five victories happened in 2002, ’05, ’07, ’13 and ’17.
Brazil
We all know the South American behemoths have won a record of five World Cups: two consecutive triumphs in 1958 and ’62 followed by a win in ’70, ’94 and finally in 2002. Brazil’s biggest World Cup loss is exactly as the U.S.’s with a 7-1 defeat, except it was the Germans and not the Italians who administered the whipping in 2014.
Brazil has collected a total 64 international titles. The Little Canary has a collection of four FIFA Confederations Cup titles (1997, 2005, ’09, ’13), eight Copa America titles (1919, ’22, ’49, ’89, ’97, ’99, 2004, ’07), two Pan-American Championship titles (1952, ’56), 12-time FIFA Team of the Year awards, four-time FIFA Fair Play Trophy winners, two-time World Soccer Team of the Year honors and the 2016 Summer Olympic Games Gold Medalists.
The USMNT, when it comes to comparing achievements to Brazil, is a dwarf standing next to Mount Fuji. Then again, if the beautiful game has taught us anything, unpredictability is a norm of the sport.
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