Despite the potential impact on who he might have available to start for a Sept. 15 road game at FC Dallas, coach Gregg Berhalter said he was pleased with the opportunities goalkeeper Zack Steffen, midfielder Wil Trapp and forward Gyasi Zardes had in front of them with two United States men’s national team friendlies.

A Friday friendly against Brazil and a Tuesday friendly against Mexico would be a good chance, Berhalter said, for the players to put their skills to the test against world-class competition.

The U.S. was tested early and often in a 2-0 loss against the world’s No. 3 team in front of a MetLife Stadium crowd that had more Brazil yellow than red, white and blue.

Douglas Costa used his speed on the right side to allow Brazil to take command of the game in the ninth minute. The 27-year-old Juventus winger raced past USMNT left back Antonee Robinson before unfurling an accurate cross to Roberto Firmino, allowing the Liverpool attacker to beat Steffen for the opening tally.

Trapp, who again wore the captain’s armband, a regular occurrence since his call-ups have become steadier in 2018, helped kick off one of the United States’ best stretches in the game just after the half-hour mark. He made a well-timed pass to the right flank just outside the 18-yard box on a play that set up the first in a series of United States corner kicks.

Steffen, who made seven saves in a friendly in France in early summer, made his first and only save of the night in the 39th minute, darting to his left to stop a well-paced Fabinho shot from just outside the box.

Light contact between Trapp and Fabinho in the box in the 42nd minute led to a Brazil try for the penalty spot. Steffen stood his ground as Paris Saint-Germain’s Neymar stutter-stepped, but he dove right as Neymar’s shot went to the other side of the net, giving Brazil a 2-0 lead.

Fox Sports 1 soccer commentator Alexi Lalas said at halftime that the penalty went a step beyond soft, calling it “liquid.” Video assistant referee was not available for the game.

Neymar came within inches of adding a third goal for Brazil in the 51st minute, as Costa played Neymar into a one-versus-one opportunity in the box with Steffen. The second-year MLS goalkeeper did just enough to deaden the shot and defender Matt Miazga cleared it as it trickled toward the line.

Zardes, the leading American goal-scorer in MLS this season with 15 goals, entered in the 70th minute for Bobby Wood, earning his first national team cap since a January friendly against Bosnia and Herzegovina.

Trapp fired from distance – similar to the distance at which he scored against Orlando City this season – in the 72nd minute, forcing a save from Brazil’s Alisson. Trapp subbed off in the 83rd minute.

The national team faces Mexico on Tuesday in Nashville, its last friendly until an Oct. 11 matchup with Colombia.

aerickson@dispatch.com

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