The American men’s national team was on the verge of collapse when they got to Orlando. As it makes its way toward Copa América, it will do so with its pride and chest full of air.

It arrived in the wake of Colombia’s 5-1 thumping, to much protest and pressure.

In response, it released a statement: “A huge bounce-back performance,” according to goalkeeper Matt Turner, following the game, in a 1-1 tie with Brazil.

Naturally, it was hardly the decisive victory they had hoped for. It was far from flawless, and stories and interpretations may have been different if not for Turner’s eleven saves. Brazil had nearly twice as many quality opportunities and twice as many shots (25). Brazil is superior; it was superior. That is still the same.

However, the US fought.

It demonstrated to the world and to itself that the post-Colombia frenzy was maybe a little too ferocious.

Turner stated on TNT that “what we did today can sort of put that [the Colombia game] to bed.”

It demonstrated once more that it is capable of competing with the top international soccer teams. In five years under head coach Gregg Berhalter, it still hasn’t defeated one of them. However, similar to the World Cup match against England, it came dangerously near to victory, just enough to give hope that it will eventually succeed.

“We believe we have taken a small step forward,” Berhalter stated. “It’s not a huge step, but it’s a little step.”

Most significantly, it was a shared one.

It was strong in tone more than in score. In the face of Colombia, the USMNT had collapsed. As Chris Richards stated, “One thing we really need to change is our mentality,” players understood this. In the first exchanges on Wednesday, they gave little reason to doubt that they had.

First, Yunus Musah fired a 30-yard bσɱb that shook the crossbar.

Captain America, Christian Pulisic, then drove inside and fired a shot. A few minutes later, Pulisic fouled violently, taking down Brazilian winger Raphinha, setting off a series of aggreʂsive fouls that elevated the intensity of the match.

The catalyst in the US was Pulisic. He opened the score with a well-executed free ƙick, and he almost gave the Americans the lead with another goal after the break.

But in the seventy minutes that followed, save by save, brick by brick, he rebuilt it.

After the game, Berhalter stated, “He stayed calm.” “And that’s the most important thing.”

In overall, the USMNT might have given way to the sporadic Brazilian aʂsault. Vinicius Jr., Endrick, and Rodrygo were all frightening. But against his second consecutive great winger, Joe Scally held his ground. When the Brazilian midfielders released passes, Gio Reyna threw his shoulders at them. Tim Ream, 36, a half step slower than the other, steadied the USMNT with his cunning and composure by keeping possession of his own penalty box. From the players of all ages, this was a mature effort overall.

Many questions still linger as the Copa América, which kicks out on June 20 and features the USMNT’s opening match against Bolivia on June 23, draws near. Richards and Ream appeared susceptible to pace. Too often, the back six found themselves in dangerous situations with the ball. For the second game in a row, Antonee Robinson appeared to be somewhere between gassed and nonexistent. Despite starting at striker, Ricardo Pepi barely made an impression on the team.

However, a draw with Brazil—just the second American victory in 20 meetings between these sides—made a statement: this USMNT can, on its day, compete with titans.

And it served as a crucial reminder before a big competition: “We are confident in our team’s strength,” Scally stated on TNT. “We know we can make a deep run.”