The U.S women’s national team fell 2-1 to Brazil in São Paulo at the Neo Química Arena on Saturday evening in front of a booming home crowd, in the first of two friendlies against the South American champions.Although attendance was concentrated in the lower bowl of the stadium, which serves as the home of storied Brazilian club SC Corinthians Paulista, fans filled it with support for the 2027 World Cup hosts, manifesting as a 12th teammate on the pitch. They welcomed each U.S. possession with loud heckles and celebrated every Brazilian advance, from interceptions to tackles and shots on goal.Forward Sophia Wilson gave the U.S. an early advantage with a goal in the second minute, her first with the national team since 2024 and becoming a mother. Fellow forward Trinity Rodman helped create the opportunity with her high press.
Sophia Wilson scores her first USWNT goal since 2024 and in less than TWO MINUTES 😤 pic.twitter.com/G7IB2l1nFA
— B/R Football (@brfootball) June 6, 2026Brazil answered nine minutes later when 21-year-old Palmeiras forward Taina Maranhão found the end of a cross from fullback Isabela Chagas.The delivery came from a Brazilian throw-in near the endline, a threat the U.S. had previously identified, with USWNT head coach Emma Hayes saying there were 117 percent more throw-ins in Brazilian matches.In the 14th minute, the South American champions doubled their lead, the result of a combination from current and former National Women’s Soccer League players. Bia Zaneratto, who played for the Kansas City Current, carried the ball from midfield and absorbed pressure from the United States’ defensive efforts. She released the ball to 20-year-old Dudinha, who leads the San Diego Wave in assists. After wriggling through the U.S. backline, Dudinha returned the ball to Zaneratto, who was wide open for a cool finish. The result is the same scoreline as Brazil’s last win against the U.S. in April 2025, which Hayes had described as putting players in the frying pan. It is also the first time the U.S. has lost to the same opponent twice in a row since 2011 (the other was against Sweden).This match and the following game Tuesday are meant as a World Cup tuneup — even if the U.S. still needs to qualify for the 2027 tournament, which will come in November. The Athletic discusses the key takeaways from a challenging match against a World Cup contender boosted by home-field advantage.Sophia Wilson returned to the U.S. earlier this year after taking a leave of absence to start a family. (Brad Smith / Getty Images)USWNT’s hot start fizzles fastBrazil did not give the U.S. much time to celebrate Wilson’s early goal, no matter how momentous a milestone this was for one of the U.S. national team’s biggest stars. Wilson continued to dominate the match, despite the 2-1 final scoreline. She was all over the pitch and nearly scored a brace.
