Orlando: The United States were beaten 5-1 by Colombia and held to a 1-1 draw with Brazil in their final warm-up game ahead of the Copa America on Wednesday.
A first-half free-kick from United States midfielder Christian Pulisic ensured a share of Gregg Berhalter’s spoils after Real Madrid striker Rodrigo from Brazil headed in at the Camping World Stadium in Orlando.
Berhalter, who has heeded calls to resign after seeing his side dismantled by Colombia on Saturday, urged his players to do better against the five-time World Cup winners.
Berhalter’s men responded with a display worthy of their first tie with Brazil after losing 18 of their previous 19 matches.
Brazilian goalkeeper Alisson, on the other hand, twice denied a potential winner for the US late in the game, saving from Pulisic and Brenden Aaronson in quick succession.
“It’s definitely a big step up for us from the other day,” Turner said, referring to the Columbia route.
Turner said the result bodes well for the U.S.’s Copa America campaign, where the Americans will face Bolivia, Panama and Uruguay in the opening round and could face Brazil again in the quarterfinals.
“I think the positive thing from today is to win,” Turner said. “We really saw the challenge and were able to bounce back after a few days.
“It is very important in playing the tournament because not every result, not every call is going to open, and you have to be able to push through what is behind you and put your front foot in front of the other.”
In the first half, Turner frustrated Brazil early as the South American excited to play a bunch of openers.
However, Brazil’s early pressure paid off after 17 minutes when Turner’s poor handball earned Brazil possession in the US box and Raphinha picked out Rodrigo’s touch for control before drilling a low shot into the bottom corner.
At that stage, Brazil looked ready to outscore the USA, and to the American fans, Rodrigo fired a shot into the net only to be denied by Turner.
However, the United States refused to give up and in the 24th minute Pulisic raced into space on the edge of Brazilian territory, only for Joao Gomes to miscue a dangerous free kick.
Pulisic took full advantage of the set-piece and fired a venomous low shot into the bottom corner to make it 1-1.
Brazil continued to threaten late in the second half, but the USA came closest to breaking the deadlock.
A counter-attack ended when Weston McKenney raised Pulisic in the space in the area, only for the US captain to make a reflex dive to his left to get close to Alisson.
