Top-tier performances from Macario and Thompson, lackluster from the rest as Brazil rebound in Olympic final rematch
SAN JOSE, Calif. – The USWNT didn't waste much time getting the capacity PayPal Stadium crowd rocking Tuesday night, scoring just 34 seconds into the game thanks to a driving run from Alyssa Thompson and a follow-up tap-in finish from Catarina Macario.
Brazil later equalized with a far post finish from former NWSL MVP Kerolin, keeping the USWNT on their toes constantly with smart wide play and tricky runs in behind. However, the rematch of the 2024 Olympic gold medal game – not to mention the USWNT's 2-0 win over the same Brazil side Saturday night in Los Angeles – didn't come with the same Hollywood happy ending.
In front of a soldout stadium of 18,000, the U.S. women's national team fell 2-1 to Brazil.
In true Emma Hayes fashion, the U.S. boss completely shook up the roster on Tuesday, fielding the youngest lineup in her 20-game tenure. Captain Emily Sonnett entered the match with 106 caps, while the rest of the starting XI totaled only 81. Lily Yohannes, just 17, started as the 10, while Avery Patterson, 22, earned her first start for the senior team and second-ever cap – the first one coming on Saturday night.
Also in the starting XI was 19-year old Gisele Thompson, who joined her sister in the XI, and 19-year old Claire Hutton out of Kansas City Current. Average age of this starting goup? 22.
The game was a battle, from the first minute until the last, with Brazil finding more openings up top than they did on Saturday, and the USWNT playing a more relaxed in the midfield than usual. Just when the crowd thought that the game might end in a 1-1 result, Brazil came knocking in extra time thanks to a 90+5 minute goal from Amanda. That sealed just the second loss in Hayes' 20-game tenure with the USWNT – but also the second in the last three games.
GOAL look at the winners and losers from the USWNT's 2-1 loss to Brazil.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Cat Macario
It’s not just scoring in the first minute of play, but also what Macario continued to deliver throughout the match. Her ability to hold the ball and work off of Alyssa Thompson and Michelle Cooper is almost effortless. In particular, her combination play with Thompson was exceptional.
Macario has had to adapt into the role as the nine for the USWNT, but she’s making it look like her spot. Her goal just 34 seconds into the game came because she was following the ball, hungry in front of the net, and hunting. As the game went on, her hold-up game continued to get even better.
While she has a tendency to lay the ball off to a teammate underneath, often Lily Yohannes, she started turning and facing the defender to take them on 1v1.
AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: The midfield – across the board
Neither the USWNT or Brazil were particularly clean or organized in the midfield. Hayes started Claire Hutton and Korbin Albert at holding, with Yohannes in front. Her game is usually sharp and textbook passing, however she gave the ball up a few too many times and didn't have urgency during transitions.
Both Albert and Hutton struggled to work out chemistry, despite both being decent with their battles won. The midfield was missing experience, which prompted Lindsey Heaps and Sam Coffey to enter the match in the second half.
Brazil's side was less-than perfect, too. While Angelina attempted to connect passes throughout, Brazil resorted to knocking the ball long and wide for Gabi or Kerolin to manage. While that tactic isn't the usual Brazilian flare we see in the midfield, it did lead to the the USWNT often turning around, chasing the ball.
Getty ImagesWINNER: Alyssa Thompson
Thompson had an engine to her again on Tuesday, one that created a lot of problems for Brazil's backline. Thompson is quickly becoming the clear left forward for the USWNT, especially with her instinct to dribble central and beat players 1v1.
Thompson and Macario were the two stars at PayPal Stadium, between their combination play and work ethic.
Thompson didn't score, but she put in 70-plus minutes of hard work up top to catch the praise of Hayes. Thompson did very well when she received the ball out wide and had to just beat one player down the flank, and then drive inside. When she did, Macario and the other attacking players' movement constantly spun the Brazil defenders around.
Getty ImagesLOSER: The USWNT backline
What the USWNT defensive line is missing is a possession-oriented defender. Right now, there is too much reactionary playing and not enough composure and swinging of the ball. Since the USWNT hasn't had Naomi Girma in as a center back, out with injury, and then lost Tierna Davidson to another unfortunate ACL tear, it's been a toss up about as to the starting center-back pairing.
Sonnett is a no brainer. She has the most experience and more caps than the rest of the USWNT starting lineup on Tuesday night, combined. While Tara McKeown is physical and disciplined, her speed is a major question mark as the Brazil front three were often finding touches past her.
Gisele Thompson was a late addition to the roster and despite being very technical and quick, was caught out of position on a few occasions – and her physicality was tested against a forceful Brazilian front line.
While it wasn't all poor, the USWNT backline didn't offer much reassurance during moments of transition, and as the calendar year continues, it will be critical that they establish a style of play beyond just big clearances out of the back. The performance from Patterson was solid, especially in just her second cap. Patterson tracked the ball well and made some big time defensive stops during moments of panic.
Even when Hayes made changes after the half, including Alana Cook for McKeown, Cook struggled to keep up with the pace of Brazil's front line.
