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The U.S. Under-23 Men's National Team fell short in a 2-1 loss to their Brazilian counterparts. The home side controlled much of the game and the U.S. had only a few bright moments in Recife.
Sporting Kansas City's Jon Kempin came into the match in the second half with the U.S. down 1-0. The U.S. managed to create their first shot on goal a minute into halftime but the resulting distribution from the Brazilian keeper Ederson quickly came down to the U.S. end. A heavily curling shot from Luan that may have deflected off a defender was unstoppable and slid in off the far post.
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, 2015
That was the only goal conceded by Kempin. The U.S. did pull one back as Jerome Kiesewetter scored on a penalty in the 60th minute.
Despite being a man down, Brazil still controlled much of the play and Kempin had to be sharp to not allow the home side to extend the lead.
The U.S. and Brazil will play a second match Sunday at 2 p.m. CT in Belem.
Olympic possibility?
The U.S. U-23 MNT will face Colombia in a two-game series next March for the right to qualify for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro. If the U.S. qualifies, Sporting KC's first homegrown player could be on the team.
Kempin has long been in the right age group and near the top of the charts for inclusion in the Olympic side although he has often been behind Cody Cropper (Milton Keynes Dons). Kempin was scheduled to be on loan to Sporting KC's USL affiliate or an NASL team much of the 2015 season but ended up backing up Tim Melia on the first team after the departure of Luis Marin.
A call up to the full national team (his first) in January was Kempin's last call up prior to this trip. The shortage of keepers with Sporting KC may have been what kept him out of the Olympic Qualifying over the summer.
Was this appearance a good sign and did Jon have enough time to show how good he is and earn a call up for the match with Columbia or even a trip to the Olympics?