Brazil back on track

Defensive error hands U.S. 1-0 loss at Confed Cup

Ronaldinho (right) and Adriano proved to be too much for the U.S. AP

LYON, France (AP) -- Brazil is still struggling to make the grade.

On Saturday, Brazil's young, experimental team may have passed one test to keep in contention for the Confederations Cup when it edged the United States 1-0 on a goal by Adriano, his first strike in a Brazil jersey.

Another awaits.

After losing its opening group B match against Cameroon 1-0, the world champion must now beat Turkey on Monday to secure a berth in the semifinals and avoid a humbling first-round exit. The Turks need just a draw to advance.

Another uncertain performance by Carlos Alberto Parreira's side, though, did little to dispel doubts about whether they can go the distance in the eight-nation tournament.

In its first official competition since clinching a record fifth World Cup trophy last year, Brazil is sorely missing its star players such as Ronaldo, Rivaldo and Roberto Carlos who stayed away from the tournament.

What we learned Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl phoned in after the United States' 1-0 loss to Brazil on Saturday to discuss four things he learned about coach Bruce Arena's team. • Not having [defender] Eddie Pope killed the U.S. Gregg Berhalter has proven in this tournament that he's not an international-level player. It's clear not just because of the goal that he caused today, but it has been clear with his complete lack of pace in this tournament. Pope just doesn't let that stuff happen. • This U.S. team lacks anyone in the midfield who can possess the ball consistently. The U.S. still needs to develop a midfielder who can control the ball and give the team some possession. The U.S. is completely reliant on [absentees] Claudio Reyna and John O'Brien for that. When those guys aren't around, the U.S. gets completely dominated in the midfield. • A few guys have proven that they can play at this level. Cory Gibbs, in my mind, had a good game defensively on the left side. Carlos Bocanegra can be a stud center back; I think he is extremely capable in the center at this level. [Goalkeeper] Tim Howard had an excellent game as well. But with one or two guys who shouldn't be playing at this level out there, that will get exposed. • Based on these two Confederations Cup games, I like Pablo Mastroeni over Chris Armas in that battle for the defensive midfielder position. I don't think Armas is 100 percent yet; he's not as confident on the ball. Mastroeni actually was a little quicker to get in the way of things than Armas was against Turkey.

In the 21st minute, Adriano, a striker with Italy's Parma making his fourth appearance for Brazil, robbed the ball off Gregg Berhalter when the American defender hesitated on the edge of his area. The 21-year-old striker struck his first shot straight at goalie Tim Howard but then fired the rebound into the open net.

Against a side ranked 10th in the world, Brazil showed the same sluggishness and lack of polish which flawed its performance in its opening game loss.

Only seven of the Brazilian players are returning from the 2002 World Cup team, and four are making their debut in the national squad.

Parreira insisted that the victory, not the number of goals scored, was the important aspect.

"We tried for a second goal but we couldn't get it," he said. "We had to win both our last two games. We've got the first in the bag, now we're going for the second."

Both sides improved on their first games in the tournament but there were few thrills. Players engaged in a midfield dogfight, hit too many stray passes and failed to make their possession tell.

Arena said his plan was to contain Brazil at least until halftime.

"Give Brazil credit. They took advantage of the one mistake that we made, and at the international level, that's what good teams do," said U.S. head coach Bruce Arena, whose 2003 record drops to 5-3-1 on the year. "While we're disappointed with the loss, this was a much better performance than Thursday's game."

Adriano had several other chances throughout the match.

He had an early opening when he took a pass from Ronaldinho inside the area, beat two players and hit a low shot just past the American post.

A header late in the game had American goalie Tim Howard at full stretch.

"I've been trying to keep my head, not get worried about scoring," Adriano said. "I'm getting more and more experience and thing are getting better."

Howard produced several spectacular saves to keep the result within the Americans' reach.

The best chances for the United States came just before the interval when Mathis curled a free-kick just around goalie Dida's left post and soon afterwards Stewart, charging down the left flank, crossed for Donovan who tapped wide from short range.

Dida had to get down low to his right to stop a low drive from Donovan who broke down the right flank after 60 minutes.

Lineups:

Brazil -- Dida; Belletti (Maurinho 65th), Lucio, Juan, Kleber; Emerson, Kleberson, Ricardinho, Alex (Gil 68th), Ronaldinho, Adriano (Ilan 85th).

United States -- Tim Howard; Gregg Berhalter, Steve Cherundolo, Carlos Bocanegra, Cory Gibbs (Bobby Convey 75th); Pablo Mastroeni (Taylor Twellman 82nd), Earnie Stewart, DaMarcus Beasley, Chris Klein (Eddie Lewis 55th); Landon Donovan, Clint Mathis.

 

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