US Soccer Team Keeps up with the Big Boys

American players show flashes of brilliance in 4-2 loss against Brazil
By Jesse Andrews,  Newser Staff
Posted Sep 11, 2007 3:20 AM CDT
US Soccer Team Keeps up with the Big Boys
USA's Clint Dempsey celebrates after scoring against China during the second half of an exhibition soccer match in San Jose, Calif., Saturday, June 2, 2007.(AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)   (Associated Press)

Despite a lopsided 4-2 score, the American men's soccer team played Brazil hard in an exhibition match at Chicago's Soldier Field. Carlos Bocanegra struck first in the 23rd minute, and Clint Dempsey's opposite-post goal tied the score 2-2 in the 73rd. Brazilian phenom Ronaldinho gave Brazil the go-ahead score two minutes later on a free kick.

Ronaldinho also had two assists. Brazil's first score was an own goal—an unlucky bounce off defender Oguchi Onyewu after goalie Tim Howard blocked a close-range Kaka blast. "They played well. I think they're getting better," the Brazilian forward said of Team America. (More soccer stories.)

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