Brazil Defeats USWNT 2-1 in São Paulo Friendly

The United States women's national team lost to Brazil 2-1 in a friendly match on June 6, 2026, at Neo Química Arena in São Paulo. It was the team's first game in Brazil since the 2016 Olympics. Sophia Wilson scored for the United States less than two minutes into the match.

Taina Maranhão equalized for Brazil after 11 minutes, and Bia Zaneratto scored three minutes later to give Brazil the lead. The match drew 31,000 fans. The crowd booed the United States every time it had the ball in the opening minutes, and the atmosphere intensified after Brazil took the lead.

Hayes said she both expected and wanted the "chaos" in the match. The contest was choppy and featured multiple turnovers by the United States in the attacking third that led to Brazilian transitions. Only captain Lindsey Heaps remains from the USWNT's 2016 Olympic roster.

Claire Hutton and Lily Yohannes started as the holding midfield pair. The back four had never started a game together, and Mandy McGlynn started in goal. Sophia Wilson was the only bright spot for the United States in the first half.

She nearly equalized just before halftime and helped create a sequence that led to a potential red-card foul when Taina Maranhão dragged full back Emily Fox down from behind just outside the box. The match served as preparation for the 2027 Women's World Cup. The squad is relatively young and inexperienced.