LANDOVER, Maryland - A resurgent United States men's soccer team faced a youthful but talented Brazil in a friendly football match at FedEx Field in the Washington suburb of Landover, Maryland, on Wednesday.
More than 67,000 fans attended - a record crowd for a U.S. match in the capital region.
The U.S. team was on a five-match winning streak and looking to finalize its preparations for the start of a World Cup qualifying campaign next month.
But a poor U.S. defense helped five-time World Cup champion Brazil to score two goals by the 26th minute.
U.S. striker Herculez Gomez gave the home fans a reason to hope for a comeback with a headed goal just before half-time. But Brazil exploited weaknesses in the U.S. defense and scored twice more to complete a 4-1 rout.
U.S. and Brazilian fans mingled with each other throughout the stadium, turning the stands into a colorful patchwork of red and yellow.
More than 67,000 fans attended - a record crowd for a U.S. match in the capital region.
The U.S. team was on a five-match winning streak and looking to finalize its preparations for the start of a World Cup qualifying campaign next month.
But a poor U.S. defense helped five-time World Cup champion Brazil to score two goals by the 26th minute.
U.S. striker Herculez Gomez gave the home fans a reason to hope for a comeback with a headed goal just before half-time. But Brazil exploited weaknesses in the U.S. defense and scored twice more to complete a 4-1 rout.
U.S. and Brazilian fans mingled with each other throughout the stadium, turning the stands into a colorful patchwork of red and yellow.