Brazil 3 – 2 United States

You played better in the second half, but the first half belongs to the US. In the end Brazil is just the team that could control, and attack whenever they wanted. It’s a good showing for the US and they’ll learn from it, but Brazil is still one of the best in the world.

Also the Ref did a fine job, I didn’t see anything wrong with how he handled that game.

Posted from  United States

Brazil won but they need to get better. The left full back position needs to be revamped. Andre Santos and Kleber need to be replaced by Marcelo, Maxwell or Fabio Aurelio. Gilberto is not very effective, should be replaced by Hernanes maybe and Ramires needs more experience, should be replaced by Ronaldinho, Diego or even Dani Alves. Dunga has to find a way to play Maicon and Dani Alves together. Those two will certainly be formidable playing together. Another concern of mine is that the current starting line up does not have any dead ball specialist, which is another reason we need a Fabio Aurelio, Ronaldinho or Dani Alves (or Even Alex to replace Juan if need be) in the starting line up

@DUVEL – I have looked at a couple of your analysis and you seem to like ramires. Ramires is good, the problem is that we HAVE OTHER PLAYERS THAT CAN DO BETTER IN THAT POSITION but overall they have been very good and insightful.

After the incredible second-half, there’s nothing that can be said. The yellow jersey is pretty scary. And the haters have to suck on that.

ps: the team without the Ronaldos is just nice.

Posted from  United States

Dunga has been vindicated once again. Let’s face the facts: He won Copa America and now the Confederations Cup and Brazil are also in the top spot in the World Cup qualifiers. What else could you ask of a national team coach?

So i havent been up to date on brazil in a while, but what ever happened to Ronaldinho, Ronaldo, and Roberto Carlos? They did not play at all in this tournament..

Brazil will be just fine. They showed why they are such good team today with this win. Kaka was unstoppable. As for their a couple of their weaknesess, Marcelo or Danie Alves will play at LB come 2010, Hernanes will have Gilberto Silvas positon, and as far as Ramires goes he will either solidify himself in that role, or Elano, who is fabulos on set pieces by the way, Ronaldinho, or Diego will take that spot depending on their play.
O and the ref was awful, Lucio’s yellow card? He missed Kakas goal surely it was in, and he let the Americans just scratch and hold Kaka with one Bocanegra yellow card to show for it.
Anyway it was a good match, no shame for the US good performance, maybe this will launch some of their players to bigger clubs and they can take the next step to being a Soccer Power.

Posted from  United States

I don’t like Brazil but there were two phanton yellows for Melo and Lucio I didn’t understand.

Posted from  United States

o and i also believe the other CB position is a slight weakness for the team, but that will be either Juan or Alex’s position come 10 to take who are both quality players. I personally like Alex a lil more.

Posted from  United States

it’s funny how the news travel slow even today. When Hernanes was the best player in Brazil last year i was the only one asking for him here. Now everyone joined the bandwagon. However, Hernanes sucks right now. He is struggling to be a starter at Sao Paulo. Watch for that people. As we speak right now, Hernanes cannot join the national team.

Posted from  United States

Guys, Point well taken, Brazil played really well,and undoubtedly the best team in the tournament. That said, just watching them play scares the crap out of me,I almost had a heart attack during the first half. Imagine being two goals down against a solid defensive european team like France or Italy, what are the odds of a comeback?

@Duvel-by the way, you are right on- Lucio was spectacular during this tournament- brazil will certainly miss him when he retires. Baffles me when sportwriters rate guys like Terry, Rio ferdinand, Chellini etc as the best center backs and omit him. I ceratinly will nominate him as the MVP of the tournament

ramirez and andre santos are the only 2 weakness on the side and Dunga will get that right before long. For me when I read that John Terry Rio ferdinand and chellini puyol etc are better players than lucio I just laugh. None of them have the skill of lucio. None of them can beat players off the dribble or start an attack like Lucio. Lucio’s problem if you ask me is that he is Brazilian and Brazil is not known to produce world class centre backs if you beleive media hype Great win by Brazil the US played well though

Josi I agree. Lucio is a great Center back. And his skill for a Center back is unmatched in my opinion. He’s amazing!

Lucio is a terrific player. world class. and regardless Hernanes deserves the call over gilberto silva. too old, too slow, not the same player he once was.
although those players are weaknesses, the replacements behind them are great players.
Gilberto Silva however is a weakness, i wonder if Dani Alves cud play his position?
a lil undersised maybe?

Posted from  United States

Undersized??? If Dunga never had any problem playing midgets like Mineiro and Josue in that position, I don’t see why he can’t consider Alves

Congratulation to our beloved Brazil national team!!! Well done!!! Lucio definitely is one of the best centre back in the world. But he is aging and his form is not as steady as before. Luisao good in the air but a bit dull. I’m quite disappointed with Ramires performance in the last two games. Andre Santos nothing special. He is just an average leftback. Kleber is definitely out. As for Gilberto Silva, same as Lucio, aging and his form not staedy at all. I think these are all the problems Dunga needs to consider before the world cup and perhaps the next qualifying game.

Posted from  Malaysia

Brazil at times lacked flair and creativity. Try to put Diego and Ronaldinho into the team alongside Kaka and Robinho. Also, play Pato. And Get Alves and Alex into the defense. Ronaldinho may be off form but with Kaka gone from Milan he can be the star of the show. Also, Diego’s from has been sensational and even with poor past performances he does deserve a second chance. My team would be :

Luis Fabiano Pato
Ronaldinho Kaka Diego Robinho
Dani Alves Lucio Alex Maicon
Julio Ceaser

Subs

Doni
Hernanes
Kerrirson
Melo
Luisao
Marcelo
Ramires

I feel Brazil could get alot more goals. I am not saying players like Melo are bad I just think this team could win games more convincingly.

I am going to play devil’s advocate and say Gilberto Silva was one of the better players on show during the match. Yes he made a mistake by not picking up Clint D which resulted in the first goal but after that he did not put a foot wrong. Hernanes is not as good Gilberto at least not right now. You see Gilberto role is the similar to the role that Dunga use to play for Brazil. You have to be able to tackle and pass the ball well and that is what Gilberto does very well. Hernanes Lucas Denilson Anderson etc are not up to the standard required for this postion at international level. Gilberto is fine.

Posted from  United States

Yeah bad reffering especially for not counting the goal that went in and was not counted against you. That game should have been 5-0 but the U.S with all their training, money, doctors, nutrisonist, technology available, and being a larger country of 300 million still was not able to defend being up by 2 goals. Let us not forget the first game that was 3-0 for Brazil. I mean the U.S Just gets lucky to win. That is so unfair, FIFA should investigate them for being opportunistic players with no skills who can only score by accident.

Posted from  United States