Christian Pulisic and Matt Turner rescue USA in 1-1 draw with Brazil

The United States recovered from a 5-1 defeat to Colombia to draw 1-1 with Brazil in the last friendly before the Copa América on Wednesday. American captain Christian Pulisic’s first-half free kick secured a share of the spoils for Gregg Berhalter’s side after Brazil took the lead through Real Madrid striker Rodrygo at Orlando’s Camping World Stadium. Berhalter, who faced calls to resign after seeing his team dismantled by Colombia on Saturday, challenged his players to perform better against the five-time world champions.

Berhalter’s men responded with a dogged display that earned them a first draw against Brazil after 18 defeats in 19 previous games.

American goalkeeper Matt Turner was the hosts’ hero, making a series of fine saves to keep Brazil at bay.

At the other end, Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson twice denied what could have been a late game-winning goal for the United States, saving from Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson in quick succession.

“It’s obviously a big recovery for us from the other day,” said Turner, citing Colombia’s rout. “I think what we did today could put an end to that.”

Turner said the result bodes well for the USA’s Copa América campaign, where the Americans face Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in the first round, and could face Brazil again in the quarter-finals.

“I think the big positive from today is taking it as a triumph,” Turner said. “We really faced adversity and were able to bounce back a few days later.

“In tournament play, this is very, very important because not every result, not every decision is going to go your way and you have to be able to put things behind you, move on and put the next foot in front of you. other.”

An entertaining first half saw Turner frustrate Brazil early on as the South Americans claimed a number of opportunities.

Even so, Brazil’s early pressure finally paid off in the 17th minute, when Turner’s poor shot handed Brazil possession inside US territory and Raphinha picked out Rodrygo, who took a touch to control before slotting in a shot. low in the lower corner.

The USA will not wither

At that stage, Brazil looked set to overtake the USA, and American fans had a more nervous moment when Raphinha shot over the bar before Rodrygo scored, but Turner denied him again.

Still, the USA refused to concede and, in the 24th minute, Pulisic accelerated into space on the edge of the Brazilian box, before being brought down by João Gomes and winning a free-kick in a dangerous position.

Pulisic made the most of the set piece, sending a venomous low shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.

An end-to-end second half saw Brazil continue to threaten, but it was the USA who came closest to breaking the stalemate.

A counter-attack culminated in Weston McKennie picking out Pulisic in space inside the box, only for the US captain to aim too close to Alisson, who reflexively dived to his left to deny a certain goal.

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