The USWNT is hunting redemption, closing out the month’s friendly series against Brazil in Fortaleza after dropping Saturday’s matchup 2-1 in São Paulo.
More than 40,000 fans are expected to fill the 57,000-seat stadium. That creates another boisterous atmosphere for a US national team still figuring out how to navigate the intensity.
“This is something else,” USWNT head coach Emma Hayes said after Game 1.
“The way football is played here, the way football is experienced here, the way the crowd leans in as a 12th player… was an incredible experience, and one that is going to intensify tomorrow.”
Hayes also pointed to a structural disadvantage. 21 of the USWNT’s 26 players currently play in the NWSL, with the US league fielding far fewer matches per four-year World Cup cycle compared to its overseas counterparts.
Mexico’s Liga MX Femenil plays about three times as many midweek games as the NWSL. Meanwhile, Europe’s top-flights engage in multiple in-season tournaments in addition to domestic commitments.
“We’ve got to be tougher in a lot of things, and we’ve got to be more durable," Hayes said. “We’ve got to expose ourselves to the elements of the game.”
Where to Watch Tonight's USWNT vs Brazil Friendly
The US kicks off against Brazil tonight at 8:30 PM ET, live on TNT.
