U.S. Experience Goes Up Against Brazil’s Youth
For the second time in six months, the United States has reached the semifinals of a major international soccer tournament.
That would have been cause for celebration only a few years ago.
But expectations are higher now, especially since the Americans’ victory in U.S. Cup ’95 and their fourth-place showing at the Copa America tournament in Uruguay last summer.
Now, winning against lesser teams is expected, which is why no accolades were showering down when the U.S. team defeated Trinidad and Tobago, 3-2, and El Salvador, 2-0, in the CONCACAF Gold Cup.
Those are the sorts of teams the United States is supposed to beat, and beat more easily than it did.
Tonight, however, the Americans’ opponent in the semifinals of the Gold Cup presents an entirely different challenge. Instead of being the favorite, the U.S. team will be the underdog.
The reason is that the opponent will be Brazil. Brazil knocked the United States out of World Cup ’94 with a 1-0 victory in Palo Alto on July 4. And Brazil eliminated the U.S. squad from the Copa America with another 1-0 victory in Montevideo last July.
Discounting a victory by the Americans at the FIFA under-17 World Championship in Scotland, the United States has never beaten the Brazilians.
Tonight’s game, beginning at 6 at the Coliseum, could be a turning point. Brazilian Coach Mario Zagalo, his eye firmly fixed on winning the gold medal in Atlanta, has brought his Olympic team to the Gold Cup. He made that point quite clear in looking ahead to tonight’s game.
“The United States has all of its World Cup players at this tournament,” he said. “Brazil has none of its World Cup players here. We are preparing this team for the Olympics.”
But simply because the Brazilians are fielding a young team--no player is older than 23--is no reason to take them lightly. Canada, beaten, 4-1, by the Brazilians, and Honduras, crushed, 5-0, would point that out.
U.S. Coach Steve Sampson is aware of the talent of such players as Caio, Savio, Jamelli and Amaral, any one of whom could make it a long night for the Americans. Combined, they could make it interminable.
“They’re all young players but with plenty of professional experience in Europe and their own country,” Sampson said. “But we’re not going out there over-respecting Brazil. We’ll play to win.”
It promises to be an intriguing game, with the roles, for once, reversed.
The United States has the age and experience, especially on defense and in the nets, where goalkeeper Kasey Keller has been his usual unflappable self, to frustrate the Brazilian forwards.
Brazil has the flair and creativity to unlock most defenses, but is suspect in the back, where only Narciso, the team captain, has looked comfortable. Goalkeeper Dida has not yet been tested in the tournament, something that will change tonight if U.S. forwards Eric Wynalda and Joe-Max Moore have their way.
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Gold Cup Schedule
SEMIFINALS
Tonight at Coliseum
* Brazil vs. United States, 6
Friday at Coliseum
* Mexico vs. Guatemala, 8
