The U.S. U-23 National Team got off to a sluggish start on Wednesday in a friendly against Brazil in Recife, but made a game of it in the second half only to see a comeback effort come up short in a 2-1 defeat as the Olympic qualifying squad prepares for a playoff against Colombia in March.
Real Salt Lake defender Boyd Okwuonu started the match at right back – one of only nine players who were holdovers from the team that Andi Herzog deployed in the qualifying tournament in October – but left late in the first half with an apparent injury.
Okwuonu left in the 35th minute with the score tied at 0-0, but Brazil turned it on before the halftime whistle, scoring before the halftime break through Gabriel and then again in the 47th minute with a curling shot from Luan to make it 2-0. Lucas Silva assisted both goals for Brazil.
The U.S. started its comeback effort when Jerome Kiesewetter drew a penalty, with Brazil captain Doria picking up his second yellow card to put the U.S. on the man advantage for the final 32 minutes. Kiesewetter converted the penalty to make it 2-1, but that’s as close as it would get.
The U.S. is in Brazil and will have one more friendly against their hosts on Sunday at 1 p.m. MT on Fox Sports 2.
