USA vs. Brazil: Score, Highlights, Twitter Reaction and Analysis

The United States faced a daunting matchup in their international friendly with Brazil, and, in a predictable result, the Seleção outclassed the Americans with a 4-1 victory.

The American defense started the game on its heels, and the Brazilians took immediate advantage. Leandro Damiao had far too much space to shoot in the 12th minute, and his strike hit Oguchi Onyewu’s arm in the penalty area.

Neymar easily converted the penalty, and Thiago Silva would head in one of the Brazilian wunderkind’s crosses in the 26th minute. 

The Americans had their moment of glory just before half after Herculez Gomez headed in a cross from Fabian Johnson. With the score 2-1 at halftime, it seemed as if the U.S. had hope, but the door was closed in the 54th when Marcelo took one of Neymar’s passes and buried the ball in the back of the net. The icing on the cake came in the 87th minute when Marcelo assisted Alexander Pato.

The Brazilians were too fast, skilled and creative for the Americans in this match, and Jurgen Klinsmann will surely be looking for better results in future friendlies.

Tweets of the Night

Sports Illustrated's Grant Wahl was right about his prediction after Neymar opened the scoring.

"

Brazil goal--Neymar puts his team up 1-0 from the spot. More goals coming in this one.

— Grant Wahl (@GrantWahl) May 31, 2012"

Former U.S. defender Alexi Lalas probably wished he could have suited up and helped out his countrymen as the drubbing continued.

"

Get beaten by "Joga Bonito", but don't get beaten by set pieces. #USAvBRA #USMNT

— Alexi Lalas (@AlexiLalas) May 31, 2012"

Aaron Nagler, Bleacher Report's lead NFL writer, was wholly unimpressed with the U.S. back line and took to tweeting about a different type of football.

"

New coach, same terrible defense. #USMNT

— Aaron Nagler (@Aaron_Nagler) May 31, 2012"

Even though the U.S. defense did not show up, the fans sure did. The game—played in Landover, Maryland—drew quite a crowd according to the official Twitter feed of the Washington Redskins.

"

Record crowd for a soccer game in the Nation's Capital: 67,619 packed in to FedExField. #USMNT #Brazil

— Redskins (@Redskins) May 31, 2012"

Must-See Highlight

Brazil's Thiago Silva exposed the weak U.S. defense on an inch-perfect Neymar cross for the Brazilian's second goal. This summed up the match for the Americans.

Grades for Key U.S. Players

Landon Donavan: B-

Donavan did not play poorly, but he failed to make a substantial impact on the game. If the Americans had any shot at victory, they were going to need an inspired performance from him.

He did put some pressure on the Brazilian back line, but simply wasn’t sharp enough in the attacking third to keep his team competitive.

Michael Bradley: B

Bradley slotted a perfect pass through the Brazilian defense to set up Fabian Johnson’s cross and the Americans’ only goal.

The midfield was outmatched in this game, but Bradley still orchestrated the highlight of the night for the U.S. 

Oguchi Onyewu: C-

Onyewu is taking the flack for the entire U.S. back line with this grade, but the group was simply not ready for this matchup. 

They were often far too deep to put pressure on the Brazilians and failed to keep track of the players they were marking. The American defense looked lost and confused for the majority of the match.

Grades for Key Brazilian Players:

Neymar: A 

One goal and two assists is an easy way to earn an A.

Neymar was up to his usual tricks in this match, showing off his speed, skill and cerebral playmaking ability.

Marcelo: A

The Real Madrid man was all over the field in this game and put a goal and an assist on the stat sheet.

He had the Americans looking foolish with his runs and simply couldn’t be stopped when he went forward from his outside-back position.

Thiago Silva: B+

Silva is a world-class center-back, and he showed exactly why in this friendly. 

He is excellent in the air and headed in one of the Brazilian goals. He also kept the Brazilian defense organized, and if not for the Americans' one goal, he too would have received an A.

Game MVP: Neymar

Big things are in store for this 20-year-old.

He was everywhere for the Brazilians, and the Americans had absolutely no answer for him.

Neymar dribbled and attacked at will, and it is these types of performances that will continue to have the major European clubs drooling all over him.

What's Next?

The United States will face a much easier matchup in their next friendly against Canada on June 3. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET at BMO Field in Toronto.

The Brazilians will not have to travel far for their next international match, facing Mexico on Sunday at Cowboys Stadium in Dallas.