USWNT falls 2-1 to Brazil evening series at a win a piece
Alyssa Thompson’s ascendancy on the USWNT can be summarized by a single indomitable trait: hustle. Her relentless and utterly world-class speed is at full throttle with every U.S. possession. For Brazil, that reality hit sooner than expected—a first-minute burst of brilliance saw Thompson running the entire Brazilian backline into the box. She was stopped just short, but not before creating chaos, allowing Macario to clean up the broken play and score the first goal of the match in San Jose.
Coming off a convincing win against Brazil in Los Angeles, Emma Hayes doubled down on her young roster, giving the Bay Area a glimpse of what’s next in the USWNT pipeline. The only exception: Emily Sonnett, who earned her 106th international cap.
The match opened with a frantic pace and shaky defensive work from the U.S., creating a wide-open field with chances flowing freely in both directions. Brazil capitalized in the 24th minute with a composed finish by Kerolin. Amid the chaos, Macario proved especially dangerous, consistently finding herself in one-on-one situations but unable to convert, forcing the Brazilian defense into uncomfortable territory against the dynamic frontline trio of Yohannes, Macario, and Thompson.
At times, the first half felt defensively barren on both sides, with end-to-end runs allowed at will—a stark contrast to Saturday’s match at SoFi.
The second half saw a noticeable dip in U.S. momentum, as Brazil pressed forward and carved out opportunities with ease—even Sonnett, one of the more seasoned players on the field, was left searching for answers. At the 58th minute, Emma Hayes made the call, subbing in veterans Lindsey Horan, Sam Coffey, and Yazmeen Ryan, along with Crystal Dunn coming on soon after to help stabilize a backline in need of composure.
The changes turned the match into a scrappier, more physical affair, with Mandy McGlynn stepping up in goal and delivering clutch saves that kept the U.S. in it. But it only took one poorly contested duel to open the door: Amanda Gutierres struck in the 95th minute, punishing the U.S. for a string of defensive lapses and a desperate attempt to force late-game offense. The equalizer in the series was sealed.
While the loss stings, there were undeniable flashes of brilliance—particularly from the pairings of Macario/Thompson and Rodman/Thompson. And with valuable minutes logged by emerging talents, this match may prove essential to the squad’s evolution as they gear up for deep tournament runs next year.
