Wil Trapp: “We’re earning stripes, man. This is a game where lessons are learned, and they’re learned harshly.” (Brad Penner – USA TODAY Sports)

By Michael Lewis

FrontRowSoccer.com Editor

EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. — Just call it a learning experience in front of one giant classroom.

The teachers were the Brazilian national team, the students were a young, but encouraging U.S. side and the classroom was the cavernous MetLife Stadium.

A young American team learned many lessons Friday night in its 2-0 loss to Brazil in an international friendly before a crowd of 32,489.

Given that the U.S. is rebuilding for the 2022 World Cup in Qatar after failing to qualify for Russia 2018 and looking for fresh blood, there could be many other matches like this one, which kicked off a six-game Fall Kickoff series that will last through November.

“It’s a baptism by fire in a lot of ways,” U.S. captain and midfield Wil Trapp said.

“We’re earning stripes, man. This is a game where lessons are learned, and they’re learned harshly because a team like this can punish you and they did. Understanding that we’re only going to get better and we’re going to improve playing difficult opponents is a big step for us.”

That did not escape interim head coach Dave Sarachan, who agreed with his captain.

“This was a great game for us to play,” he said. “These types of games when you’re playing a team like Brazil, who arguably is as good as any team on the planet, it just challenges you in ways that will improve this group as we move forward.

“We might have been a little nervous here or there. you want to see a team that’s not afraid, that will compete, that will challenge you on plays. When its not good enough you get punished by good teams. That’s the value of playing these types of teams give.”

Sarachan used a starting lineup that averaged 22.5 years of age. The team’s age ranged from the Red Bulls’ 19-year-old standout midfielder Tyler Adams to a trio of 25-year-old players — defender John Brooks, forward Bobby Wood and captain and Trapp.

It was evident from the opening kickoff that Brazil might have brought its B team, but it brought its A game.

The South Americans drew first blood in the 11th minute as Firmino volleyed in Douglas Costa’s right-wing cross from close range past goalkeeper Zack Steffen.

“It was pretty evident that we had a nervous start,” Sarachan said. “I thought the ability to connect passes was difficult for our group early in the game. When you concede possession against a team like Brazil, it makes it hard. You do a lot of chasing.

“The first goal was well executed. We were a little late getting out to Douglas Costa. Matt [Miazga, center back] may have misread the run, but terrific execution. So, it was a situation where you get punished.”

A questionable penalty kick call led to the South Americans’ second score in the 44th minute when referee Fernando Guerrero ruled that Trapp knocked down Fabinho at the top right of the penalty area. Neymar, criticized for his histrionics and constant rolling when he was fouled in the World Cup, converted the ensuing penalty by rolling the ball easily into the lower right corner.

The U.S. struggled to keep possession for long periods of time. When it did, the team got off a shot well off target or wound up losing the ball.

“Overall I thought the first half was a little nervy,” Sarachan said. “The second half we had better moments of using the ball better.”

Trapp, who plays for Columbus Crew SC, felt playing a high-level opponent such as Brazil will prepare the young Americans for competitions down the road. The next big one will be the CONCACAF Gold Cup. He noted the U.S. wasn’t going to face the caliber of competition of Brazil in CONCACAF.

“Whether it’s home, whether it’s away, playing against a team like this will help us in terms of our development,” he said. “When the times are tough, when we’re having to dig in to defend, how we can hold onto the ball, there’s always lessons to be taken.

“It’s just courage, man. You understand that yes, mistakes are going to happen, yes, it’s a quality opponent. We have to stick together as a group. And it’s going to get better and better with this group.”

The Americans will find out soon enough. They will face another test against their archrivals Mexico in a confrontation in Nashville, Tenn. Tuesday night.

Front Row Soccer editor Michael Lewis has covered 13 World Cups (eight men, five women), seven Olympics and 25 MLS Cups. He has written about New York City FC, New York Cosmos, the New York Red Bulls and both U.S. national teams for Newsday and has penned a soccer history column for the Guardian.com. Lewis, who has been honored by the Press Club of Long Island and National Soccer Coaches Association of America, is the former editor of BigAppleSoccer.com. He has written seven books about the beautiful game and has published ALIVE AND KICKING The incredible but true story of the Rochester Lancers. It is available at Amazon.com.