There are a couple refrains I'm tired of hearing from U.S. men's soccer pundits/apologists during and after the two most recent international breaks. The first is the caveat, "Yeah, but it's Brazil." Or "Colombia." Or basically any other opponent from anywhere on the planet except CONCACAF and most of Asia. As if those teams are simply untouchable.
Granted, Brazil was clearly the better team when they beat the U.S. 2-0 last month - as Brazil clearly has been for pretty much always. But at the same time, we're not talking about 1970 Brazil here.