Game report

A young Brazil squad came out using their skill and speed to keep the USA from developing any sort of rhythm or pattern in their game. The midfielders were out played during almost all of the first half, and the defense who settled quickly after a shaky start worked extremely hard to keep the Brazilians from scoring with help by a supreme performance by Scurry and the goal posts.

The second half was all USA as they came out strong and developed their usual attacking pattern. The Brazil squad seemed to fade physically and mentally as the USA increased the pressure, making the errors that we saw from the U.S. players in the first half.

When Wambach, who had been fouled continuously throughout the game, was given a yellow card for a fifty-fifty play that meant that she could not play in the next match. She answered by raising the pace of her game. It paid off quickly as she was taken down in the box, and Hamm put away a beautifully hit penalty kick. Twenty minutes later Wambash took on and beat two defensive players in the box and left footed a her shot curling away from the keeper.

An attractive game to watch, although the Brazilians have not got rid of their long time weakness of fouling and diving especially under pressure. They play the game so well, it has always seemed a shame for them to spoil their image this way.