Brazil’s new coach, Mano Menezes, has chosen a young roster for the Aug. 10 exhibition against the U.S. national team, the first match since the World Cup. It’s also the first game as Brazil prepares to host the 2014 World Cup.
AC Milan forward Alexandre Pato and Santos scoring sensation Neymar have been called up. Young Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva, Liverpool midfielder Lucas Leiva and Real Madrid defender Marcelo, also are on the 24-man roster for the match at the New Meadowlands Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J.
“There are several ways of winning and I respect all of them,” said Menezes, who replaced Dunga as the coach on July 24. “I will try to choose the way that gives us the best chance of winning. If that can be done with the ‘beautiful game’ that everyone likes, it would be the best. We will try to get as close as possible to that.”
Only four players picked on the roster played at the 2010 World Cup: Barcelona defender Daniel Alves, Benfica midfielder Ramires, AC Milan defender Thiago Silva and Santos forward Robinho, (on loan from Manchester City). Eleven players will make their team debut.
The roster:
Goalkeepers: Jefferson (Botafogo), Renan (Avai), Victor (Gremio)
Defenders: Andre Santos (Fenerbahce, Turkey), Daniel Alves (Barcelona, Spain), David Luiz (Benfica, Portugal), Henrique (Racing Santander, Spain), Marcelo (Real Madrid, Spain), Rafael da Silva (Manchester United, England), Rever (Atletico Mineiro), Thiago Silva (AC Milan, Italy)
Midfielders: Carlos Eduardo (Hoffenheim, Germany), Ederson (Lyon, France), Hernanes (Sao Paulo), Jucilei (Corinthians), Lucas Leiva (Liverpool, England), Paulo Henrique Ganso (Santos), Ramires (Benfica, Portugal), Sandro (Internacional)
Forwards: Andre (Santos), Neymar (Santos), Alexandre Pato (AC Milan, Italy), Robinho (Santos), Diego Tardelli (Atletico Mineiro)
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