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Brazil, Portugal to play in friendly at Gillette Stadium

Posted by Julian Cardillo June 24, 2013 10:12 PM

According to a release on the Brazilian Soccer Federation's official website, Gillette Stadium will host an international friendly between Brazil and Portugal on Sept. 9. The Portuguese Federation published a similar release on its official website as well.

Brazil has close to sold-out Gillette Stadium in the past. Brazil defeated Mexico, 3-2, before a record crowd of 67,684--the largest ever soccer crowd at Gillette Stadium-- on Sept. 12, 2007. Brazil returned to Foxborough on June 6, 2008, where they lost in an international friendly to Venezeula, 2-0, in front of 54,045.

Both Brazil and Portugal will be coming off busy summers. Brazil is currently competing in the Confederations Cup, where they have so far ousted Japan (3-0), Mexico (2-0), and Italy (4-2). They will play Uruguay in the semi-finals. If they win, they'll play the winner of Spain-Italy in the final.

It's been a humbling stretch for Brazil, who are currently ranked 22nd in the world by FIFA, the all-time low for the five-time World Champions.

Portugal are currently atop their World Cup qualifying group after coming off an impressive win against Russia. They've followed up with a 1-0 victory over Croatia in a friendly in Geneva. FIFA currently ranks Portugal sixth in the world.

In an interview with Boston.com in May, New England Revolution President Brian Bilello said that planning for a high profile international friendly was in the works. He did not specify if the friendly was being organized for the Revolution.

The Revolution lost to Brazilian club Cruzeiro 3-0 in 2010 in front of a healthy crowd. Benfica might be the only Portuguese team to have ever played at Gillette Stadium, beating the Revolution 4-0 on May 19, 2010 in front of almost 13,000.

The Revolution have also played in friendlies against Celtic, Manchester United, Ajax, Modena, Palmeiras, Viborg, and Fiorentina in years past.

Correction: The Revolution played, and defeated 2-1, Portugal's Sporting CP on May 20, 2004 in front of 7,648.

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