It’s 10 a. m. , and the heat in Pasadena is already on the verge of “melting your face. “
The sea breeze that blows gently over the shores of America’s Pacific Coast is nowhere to be found. Here, surrounded by hills that shape an impressive amphitheater of herbs, everything is silent, sweaty and parched.
At the center of it all, elegantly provocative in the sun, is the Rose Bowl.
This stadium in the northern suburbs of Los Angeles, which is now 102 years old, naturally occupies a very popular position in the American sports consciousness. Five NFL Super Bowls have been played here, in addition to the 1999 Women’s World Cup final, Brandi Chastain and all that. It takes its history lightly (a few plaques, a few modest statues), but it’s nicknamed “America’s Stadium” for a clever reason.
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However, it’s not just American sports enthusiasts who revere this place; The Rose Bowl is also on the list of sacred places in Brazilian football.
It was here, next month, the 30th anniversary of its 30th anniversary, that Brazil won its fourth World Cup title, pulling away from Germany to become the most successful country in men’s football history (both have won a few since then).
Close your eyes a little and you can almost see the following images: the Italian Roberto Baggio puts the decisive penalty into orbit; Romario kissing the Jules Rimet trophy; Captain Dunga, boundless joy, shouting in a cloudless sky. The 1994 Brazilian team is not as popular as the country’s other teams that won the World Cups in 1958, 1962, 1970 or even 2002, but good luck leaves an indelible mark.
That kind of nostalgia will be back in the spotlight two years from now, when the World Cup returns to the United States, co-hosted by neighbors Canada and Mexico. There would possibly be no triumphant return to the Rose Bowl. The stadium rarely makes the United States’ list of 11 venues, but that may not stop Brazil from basking in fond memories of Pasadena or aspiring to repeat what happened in 1994.
As they prepare to kick off their Copa America in Los Angeles at SoFi Stadium against Costa Rica tonight (early Tuesday UK time), it’s fair to say that Brazil have a few things to do if they want to achieve that goal in 2026.
Halfway through this World Cup cycle, they would have expected to have a solid squad and an explained style, with perhaps still some small changes needed. Instead, things are still completely embryonic, the result of some world-class error in the component. of the National Football Federation, which waited for 12 months for Real Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti, fired and then temporarily dismissed the person who held the position.
For this reason, the new permanent coach Dorival Junior arrives at the Copa América with only 4 matches, all friendlies, behind him. He says he’s looking for the right tactical balance, one that’s understandable and admirably honest. There were encouraging signs in the March matches against England (1-0 win) and Spain (3-3 draw), however, performances ahead of this month’s tournament against Mexico (3-2 win) and the United States (1-1) have been less good. .
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Normal initial disorders with a new RPM? To be sure, Brazilian enthusiasts aren’t known for their patience once the festival begins. For Dorival, the next few weeks will be a litmus test.
It must be said that the atmosphere in the camp was positive and cheerful. This is partly due to a generational change: veterans such as Casemiro, Thiago Silva and Neymar are absent from this team, replaced by teenagers with less baggage. Dorival’s personality – affable and paternalistic – was also a matter for players and journalists.
Above all, he also talked about a match. What I need is to bring excitement and happiness to our fans,” he said on Sunday. “I need them to feel that the team is giving everything to bring them back to joy. “
These are noble objectives and Brazil has the ability to pursue them. Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and 17-year-old sensation Endrick are capable of moving up in the Copa America and leading Brazil into a bright new era. Capable of propelling their country towards good fortune in the World Cup as well, if the rest of the team is well configured.
But there is another way. Despite all the stereotypes, there is only one that is non-negotiable in Brazilian football: neither joy nor good looks, as highlighted by current captain Danilo on the eve of the match against Costa Rica.
“I hope we can live up to the expectations,” Danilo said. “Not in terms of beautiful football, that’s something the press and the fans want to communicate, but to win games. We will play passionate football if we can. If not, we will win thanks to our determination.
The 1994 Rose Bowl promotion would warmly approve.
GOING FURTHER
Endrick runs to be a starter in Brazil: “Nobody wants to skip steps”
(Top photo: Mark Leech/Offside Getty Images)