In a pre-season friendly in the United States, Flamengo beat Philadelphia Union 2-0 on Sunday afternoon (21) at Al Lang Stadium. Pedro, from a penalty, and Everton Cebolinha scored the red-black goals. Mengão remains in Florida continuing the pre-season and will face Orlando City next Saturday (27).  

The game
The match began with both teams scrutinizing each other. Flamengo passed the ball around, trying to reach the opponent's box. In the 11th minute, Carbone delivered a great pass to Cebolinha, who entered the box and was brought down by the goalkeeper. The referee, on the spot, awarded a penalty. Pedro stepped up to take the kick and only displaced the goalkeeper to open the scoring: 1-0 Mengão!

After the goal, the red-and-black team maintained possession in attack, looking for space to create chances. In the 29th minute, Cebolinha made another good run down the left, passing between two defenders, and shooting. The ball went just wide of the post.

In the final minutes of the first half, Mengão extended their lead with a stunning goal! Gerson delivered a beautiful pass to Cebolinha, who burst into the box and fired a shot into the corner. The ball hit the post before going in: 2-0.  

In the second half, coach Tite returned with a completely changed team and gave De la Cruz his debut in the Sacred Mantle. Ten changes were made in total. The Mais Querido managed to find the net again in the 9th minute through Gabi, but the referee ruled the number 10 offside.

Exchanging passes in the attacking half, the red-and-black team surrounded the Americans. In the 12th minute, Arrascaeta passed to Gabi, who set up De la Cruz for a first-time shot. The goalkeeper went to the corner to retrieve it.

Another good chance came in the 26th minute. Bruno Henrique led a counterattack, got past three players, and passed to Arrascaeta, who was one-on-one with the goal. But Matt Real managed to clear it at the last moment. In the final stretch, the game became more measured, lacking the intensity seen in the first half.

The conversation in Florida ends with a victory for Mengão, who continue their preseason in the USA.

Next appointment
Mengão's main squad returns to the field next Saturday (27) for the friendly against Orlando City, at 16 pm (Brasília time), at Exploria Stadium-USA.

Flamengo
Rossi (Caio Barone); Varela (Wesley), David Luiz (Fabrício Bruno), Leo Pereira (Cleiton) and Carbone (Ayrton Lucas); Allan (Erick Pulgar), Gerson (Victor Hugo) and Matheus Gonçalves (Arrascaeta); Luiz Araújo (De la Cruz), Everton Cebolinha (Gabi) and Pedro (Bruno Henrique).
Coach: Tite.

Philadelphia Union
Blake; Berdecio, Makhanya, Glesnes and Wagner; Olney, Jesús Bueno, Joaquín Torres and Rafanello; Donovan and Sullivan.
Coach: Jim Curtin.

Technical sheet
Philadelphia Union 0x2 Flamengo – International Friendly
Location: Al Lang Stadium, St. Petersburg, USA
Date and time: 21/01/2024 at 16:XNUMX pm (Brasília time)
Referees: Daniel Gutierrez, Albert Escovar and Madzid Coric
Yellow cards: Allan (FLA), Luiz Araújo (FLA), Varela (FLA)
Goals: Pedro (12'1st half) and Cebolinha (42'1st half).