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Brazil held to 1-1 draw by USA in final Copa América warm-up friendly

Reuters
Pulisic scored for the US
Pulisic scored for the USReuters
Brazil drew 1-1 with the United States in a friendly in Orlando on Wednesday in a final tune-up for both sides ahead of the Copa América.

The US had been under pressure to deliver a performance after last weekend's 5-1 loss to Colombia and the result marked just the second time in 20 matches they avoided defeat by the five-time World Cup winners.

Brazil opened the scoring after 17 minutes, pouncing on a misplaced Turner clearance to regain possession before Raphinha set up Real Madrid forward Rodrygo for a smooth finish.

Christian Pulisic grabbed the equaliser in the 26th minute by firing a low free-kick past Alisson at the near post after the forward was fouled just outside the box.

"There was a lot of talk amongst the players after the 5-1 loss to Colombia," US keeper Matt Turner told TNT Sports.

"We need to know, friendly or not, it doesn't matter, you're the US, you're going to play in Copa América, you're going to play against South American teams that don't like you very much and want to prove a point.

"We have to have a certain level of intensity every time we step out onto the pitch that we lacked in the Colombia game but had tonight."

Brazil have now won just two of their past eight matches, but are unbeaten since Dorival Junior took over as manager at the start of the year, winning two and drawing two.

"It was a tough game, you always want to win, but because it's a warm-up, you have to try not to lose," Rodrygo told TV Globo.

"They gave us a hard time, but we also created a lot, we just lacked a bit of flair. We have to carry on like this, train hard to do well at the Copa América."

The Copa América runs from June 20 to July 14 in the United States.

Nine-time champions Brazil kick off their Group D campaign against Costa Rica on June 24 before facing Paraguay and Colombia. The US play Bolivia on June 23, followed by matches against Panama and Uruguay in Group C.