Sporting Kansas City goalkeeper Jon Kempin played 45 minutes on Wednesday for the U.S. U-23s in a 2-1 loss to Brazil. The match was one of two friendlies against Brazil as the U.S. prepares for their two-legged Olympic playoff series against Colombia next March.
Kempin was one of eight Major League Soccer players to feature for the United States on Wednesday at Ilha do Retiro Stadium in Recife. He entered the match for Leeds United goalkeeper Charlie Horton in the 46th minute.
Despite a barrage of early chances, the U.S backline led by 2014 FIFA World Cup veteran John Brooks and Tottenham Hotspur defender Cameron Carter-Vickers managed to keep the host side off the board through 41 minutes. A quick Brazilian counter attack, however, broke the deadlock in the 42nd minute. Gabriel rounded Horton in the box to put Brazil up 1-0 at the break.
GOAL, Brazil! Gabriel runs through the U.S. defense and slots home to give Brazil a 1-0 lead over the US U-23s. https://t.co/2UHEeH5BJK
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 11, 2015It didn’t take long for the Brazilians to double their lead in the second half. After working the ball around the U.S. penalty box, Lucas Silva found an open Luan who one-timed his strike past Kempin to the far corner of the net. The Sporting KC homegrown goalkeeper did all he could to stop the shot, but a slight deflection off LA Galaxy defender Oscar Sorto put the attempt out of reach.
GOAL, Brazil! Luan doubles the hosts' lead over the US U-23s with a beautiful, curling strike. 2-0. WATCH https://t.co/Jekeur5VLy
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) November 12, 2015The United States pulled one back in the 60th minute. After earning a penalty kick, and a second yellow card on Doria, Jerome Kiesewetter converted the spot kick to cut the deficit to one. The German-American is one of nine players in camp who competed for the U.S. during the 2015 CONCACAF Olympic Qualifying Championship and won the tournament’s golden boot with four goals scored.
Although the United States had a man advantage over the final 30 minutes, they were not able to find an equalizer. Fred hit one off the post for Brazil in the 88th minute and the U.S. had two opportunities to tie in the 90th minute, but neither was able to beat the Brazilian goalkeeper.
The United States will play Brazil once more during this training camp. The second match will kick off Sunday at 2 p.m. CT from the Mangueirão Stadium and will be broadcast on FOX Sports 2. Fans can also follow all the action on Twitter @ussoccer.
