Youthful Brazil races past U.S. in exhibition

Alexandre Pato of Brazil leaves U.S. goalkeeper Tim Howard in his wake, en route to scoring his country's second goal of the first half at New Meadowlands Stadium. (Stan Honda)

Neymar's quickness and cunning began creating problems for right back Jonathan Spector, adding another gateway for Brazil. In the 28th minute, with Spector drawn forward, Santos raided the left flank and crossed into the heart of the penalty area, where Neymar secured position on Jonathan Bornstein to power a nine-yard header into the lower left corner.

During added time, Brazil took a central route to its second goal, seizing on the Americans' alarming lack of pressure. With time and space, Paulo Henrique Ganso distributed the ball to Ramires, who pushed it to Pato. Goalkeeper Tim Howard was on his own. He charged, but Pato calmly surged past him and deposited his second international goal into a vacant net.

The intermission hardly interrupted Brazil's surge. Under persistent pressure, the Americans were chasing shadows and on the verge of being overwhelmed. An offside call wiped out an apparent goal and Robinho struck the left post.

After Michael Bradley's short header into the top of the net was annulled by an obvious offside in the 57th minute, Neymar showed mesmerizing footwork and drew a reaction save by reserve Brad Guzan.

Liberated on the right in the 70th minute, Neymar forced Guzan into a difficult save. The dizzying forward left in the 72nd minute, and though ample time remained, the outcome was not in doubt. Ganso hit the right post from long distance and Guzan made a brilliant save on Carlos Eduardo.

"When you come back quickly after a World Cup," Bradley said, "it's a good reminder of the work that went in to getting to that level."

U.S. notes: Before the match, the five National Soccer Hall of Fame inductees were honored: Bruce Arena, who coached the University of Virginia, D.C. United and the U.S. national team; players Kyle Rote Jr., Thomas Dooley and Preki; and journalist Paul Gardner.