From a "fan of the game" standpoint, tomorrow night's USA-Brazil friendly brings the opportunity to see the next generation of Brazilian talent stake their claim to the nation's fortunes moving forward. Pato and Neymar alone are worth the price of admission from this angle, and I'd be willing to wager that it's a combination of the shirt and those names that will fill the New Meadowlands.


But from an American perspective, focused solely on the fortunes of our ever-improving (we hope) international efforts, tomorrow is just a place-holder. Bob Bradley's status is unclear. Several players are either on their way out or are already established as future contributors. For the US, the game is half big time money making/exposure event, and half...well, I'm not really sure. Bradley and company will absolutely want to win, but even if they do, I'm not sure what it will mean.


I do expect it to be a competitive match.


Check out my match preview piece at Soccerlens for more on what this game is...and isn't...for each side.


Ultimately the value of this game has very little to do with the US program's on field progress.