On the Pitch
On the Pitch
U.S. Women's National Team Falls 2-1 to Brazil in São Paulo
Sophia Wilson Scores 25th International Goal, Becomes Ninth Mother to Score for the USWNT; Brazil Earns Fifth-Ever Win Against the USA
SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL (June 6, 2026) – The U.S. Women’s National Team fell 2-1 to Brazil in the first of two matches in June against the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup hosts. In just the second minute, forward Sophia Wilson scored her 25th international goal, becoming the ninth mother to score for the USWNT, but Brazil quickly responded and held the lead despite a dominating second half from the United States. Brazil earned its second-consecutive and fifth overall win against the USA.
A tremendously loud and enthusiast crowd of more than 31,000 Brazilian fans pushed its team from the opening whistle in what was the first match between the two countries in Brazil since 2014. As U.S. head coach Emma Hayes predicted, it was a chaotic, chippy and highly aggressive match with at least four stoppages due to apparent injuries to Brazilian goalkeeper Lelê, who eventuallly left the game in the 81st minute.
It did start well for the USA. The Americans opened the scoring after just 96 seconds when forward Trinity Rodman forced a turnover in Brazil’s defensive third. Wilson collected the loose ball and took a few touches towards the middle of the field before curving a shot on the ground from outside the box into the bottom left corner. The goal was Wilson’s first for the USWNT since Oct. 24, 2024. The lead, however, was short-lived.
The Americans struggled to maintain control of the game early on due Brazil’s aggressive style of play and the USA uncharacteristically gave up two goals in quick succession, with Brazil equalizing in the 11th minute.
Defender Isabela received the ball from a throw-in near the endline and lofted a cross inside the box to Tainá Maranhão, who headed the ball into the right side of the net past U.S. goalkeeper Mandy McGlynn. The home side scored what would be the game-winner just three minutes later after the USA failed to slow a Brazil counter attack and Bia Zaneratto played a give-and-go inside the penalty box with fellow forward Dudinha before placing a low shot into the left corner of the goal.
Midfielder Lily Yohannes nearly evened the scoreline in the 28th minute after the USA earned a free kick just outside the box on the right side, but her shot dipped low and wide of the near post. Wilson also had a breakaway thwarted when she let the ball run a bit too far ahead of her and Lele was able to get a piece of the ball. Wilson got it back and tried to hit a wide-open Alyssa Thompson in the middle, the Brazilian goalkeeper did well to get a piece of cross and jumped on it.
On the other side of halftime, midfielder Claire Hutton’s long-range strike forced Lelê to fully extend and push the shot off the crossbar for one of the USA’s seven corner kicks of the night. The USA would eventually outshoot Brazil, 11-9, but despite creating numerous dangerous situations in the attacking third, the USA’s quality in the penalty box was lacking on the night. The U.S. put just three shots on goal.
The USA tilted the field in its favor in the second half, dominating the final 45 minutes plus eight minutes of stoppage time as Brazil fought hard to hang on, but the USA could not create a goal despite finding space down the wings and buzzing around Brazil’s penalty area. The USA also had a penalty shout turned down when a Brazilian defender cleared the ball off the arm of her teammate, but the VAR said no penalty.
Near the end of regulation, midfielder Rose Lavelle, who came on in the 79th minute, played a square pass from the left flank inside the penalty area to halftime substitute Michelle Cooper, but her shot was blocked. A few other services into the penalty were well-cleared by the Brazilians, who no doubt were happy to hear the final whistle.
Up next, the U.S. Women’s National Team heads to Fortaleza to face Brazil again on June 9 at Arena Castelão (8:30 p.m. ET / 9:30 p.m. local time on TNT, HBO Max and Peacock).
USA – SOPHIA WILSON, 2nd minute: Trinity Rodman put pressure on the Brazilian backline and forced a turnover around 30 yards from goal. Wilson collected the ball and dribbled centrally towards the edge of the penalty area before hitting a low, left-footed shot that skidded into the bottom left corner. USA 1, BRA 0
BRA – TAINA MARANHÃO (ISABELA), 11th minute: Brazil earned a throw-in deep in the USA’s defensive third on the right sideline. Defender Isabela received the pass and maneuvered past her defender to the endline before sending a cross inside the box. It flew over several U.S. defenders to Taina Maranhão, who leaped up to connect with the ball from just outside the six-yard box, heading the back into the right corner of the goal. USA 1, BRA 1
BRA – BIA ZANERATTO (DUDINHA), 14th minute: Bia Zaneratto won the ball at midfield and made a central run towards goal. She played a pass to Dudinha inside the penalty area, who split two defenders with a pass back to Zaneratto who was continuing her run inside the box. She then placed her shot first time into the bottom left corner. USA 1, BRA 2
Tonight's Starting XI averaged 57.7 caps heading into the match.
The Thompson sisters, Alyssa and Gisele, both started and hold the record for most USWNT matches started together by sisters, shareing the same Starting XI for the sixth time. This was the eighth all-time WNT match they have played together.
The U.S. last played in Brazil in the 2016 Olympics and the last time the U.S. played Brazil in Brazil was in December of 2014.
With her cap today, Heaps passed Shannon MacMillan for sole ownership of 18th most caps in USWNT history with 177, making her one of only 18 women to reach that mark.
With her cap today, Fox tied Sydney Leroux for 52nd most caps in USWNT history with 77.
With her cap today, Wilson passed Leslie Osborne for sole ownership of 60th most caps in USWNT history with 62.
With her cap today, Rodman passed Amanda Cromwell for sole ownership of 63rd most caps in USWNT history with 56.
Sophia Wilson became the ninth mother to score for the USWNT when she scored her first goal back since returning to the USWNT after giving birth to her daughter. Her last goal for the USA before this was on Oct. 24, 2024, vs. Iceland.
Wilson’s goal was her 25th which makes her the 29th player to score 25 goals or more for the USWNT. She is tied for 27th-most goals in WNT history with Lynn Biyendolo and Crystal Dunn.
- U.S. WOMEN’S NATIONAL TEAM MATCH REPORT -
Match: United States vs. Brazil Date: June 6, 2026 Competition: Friendly Venue: Neo Química Arena Attendance: 31,336 Kickoff: 6:30 p.m. local / 5:30 p.m. ET Weather: 65 degrees, clear skies
Not dressing: 1-Claudia Dickey, 4-Croix Bethune, 26-Riley Jackson
Head Coach Emma Hayes
Head coach: Arthur Elias
Ref: María Eugenia Gil Soriano (ESP)
A-VAR: Judit Romana García (ESP)
