Can the US upset Brazil?
On September 9, 2007 the United States will take on #1 ranked and 5 time World Cup champion Brazil. US head coach Bob Bradley announced his roster and it is not short of what would be playing in any World Cup if it were to happen today, and Brazil is bringing their first team as well. Here’s how they match up:
US
GK : Tim Howard, Chris Seitz
Def: Carlos Bocanegra, Steve Cherundolo, Jay DeMerit, Oguchi Onyewu, Heath Pearce, Frank Simek, Jonathan Spector
Mid: DaMarcus Beasley, Michael Bradley, Bobby Convey, Clint Dempsey, Benny Feilhaber, Pablo Mastroeni
Fwd: Davy Arnaud, Landon Donovan, Eddi Johnson, Josh Wolfe
Brazil
GK: Doni, Julio Cesar
Def: Maicon, Daniel Alves, Alex Silva, Lucio, Juan, Alex, Kleber, Gilberto
Mid: Gilberto Silva, Mineiro, Josue, Fernando, Elano, Kaka, Julio Baptista, Diego
Fwd: Ronaldinho, Robinho, Vagner Love, Afonso
Now under normal circumstances I would say that the US has no chance at all of winning this game, however this will not be a normal night. This is about Pride. The US is coming off a dismal World Cup showing and want to prove that they are a legit nation to contend with in terms of football. Brazil does not want to lose to the Americans as it would potentially upset their number 1 ranking. So who does this event really favor?
If this game was anywhere outside of the US I would say it would be Brazil’s game, hands down, no contest. A clinic would be put on by Ronaldinho and Robinho up front, while Kaka dazzles the midfield to the delight of the crowd. However with this game being played in Chicago, on American soil, with a stadium full of fans wanting to see the US beat a great Brazil team, the result could go any way.
Brazil will play just like they always do, the real challenge will be for all of the individual stars to shine together, which was the downfall in the World Cup last year. If Kaka can jump start the Brazilians, then it will open up for Ronaldinho to do his magic. The Americans will be very aware of this and will have to play their best game to win, or even draw. When you are playing a team such as Brazil, you better bring your best game, or it will turn into a scoring clinic for them.
It should be interesting to see which American team shows up, the one that was at the World Cup, or the one that swept the Gold Cup. One thing is for sure, it definitely will be a “Clash of the Champions”, let’s just hope the Americans can keep up…games like this do not see their way to America very often.
of course they can cause a upset…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………if they bribe the refree^^
The US is very good at beating small football countries, like in the Gold Cup. As soon as they face a real team, they get thrashed, like in the Copa America and World Cup.
It might not be a total blowout, but there’s no way the US is going to win unless Brazil is spectacularly off form, which has been known to happen on occasion.
In the Copa America the US went with their “B” team that couldn’t beat anyone if they had to. This game will feature the number one roster for the US. So it will be a true test as to what the American’s can do against a true powerhouse football nation. If it were anywhere but on American soil I’d say Brazil all the way, but you never know when the US plays on home soil.
what could happen when the US plays on home soil? they are going to get thrashed either way. unless brazil puts on another of those “performances” which could not beat Mexico.
btw in the case of Brazil the team is not necessarily at its strongest when their superstars (kaka, dinho, etc.) are there.
All of us in the US know how the game will probably end up, but damnit if we don’t want to win more than the Brazis.
why not, the u.s. team has beaten brazil before…but I think the official wins and losses vs brazil is 11 to 1 though. this is a very solid squad all the way thru and I know we have the better goal keeper. maybe ronaldinho and kaka can’t learn to play together, maybe dani alves goes forward and we catch them by surprise…maybe the star brazilains go shopping with their wives and girlfriends the night before the game and they are “accidently” locked in the mall…anything could happen
but in my house we will be watching with muted enthousiasm, I can’t support a team that chickens out against playing real competition for a real cup and instead chooses to be the big fish in the little pond of el caribbian…woohoo we won the gold cup…who cares/shut the fuck up.
I also can’t support a team where landon donavon is regarded it’s best player, but that is for another topic.
If Brazil lose, I’ll chop my cock & balls off any feed them to my pet dog.
God forbid Bradley play Adu, Altidore or Szetela–the three Americans to actually have performed well internationally in recent memory
Strikarz - I’ll hold you to that one
The US can only win if they were to use their best players against the BRAZIL UNDER 10′… lol…
remember that american u20’s did just kick brazils ass in the u20wc. but none of those players other than the coaches son will be playing in this game unfortunatly.
“…with a stadium full of fans wanting to see the US beat a great Brazil team.” Somehow I doubt this, in US-Mexico games in America the US is basically the away squad.