Willian scored in the first half, and Brazil beat Ecuador 1-0 on Tuesday night in a friendly at MetLife Stadium.
Willian, one of seven players from Brazil’s World Cup roster who made the trip to the United States, scored off a feed from Neymar in the 31st minute.
Brazil also beat Colombia 1-0 on Friday in Miami Gardens, Florida, part of a nice start for Dunga’s second stint as manager of Brazil.
“I didn’t see anything negative,” Dunga said. “I think I saw some good things tonight. I only have positive things to say.
“The players played well against two very good teams. The team raised its ability depending on how difficult the situations were. All the players on this team I felt made the most of their opportunities in these games.”
The loss before a yellow-clad crowd of 35,975 gave Ecuador a split of their two exhibition games in the United States under interim coach Sixto Vizuete. They beat Bolivia 4-0 on Friday in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Ecuador, who brought eight players from their World Cup roster, have played at least one game in the United States every year since 1993, and in the New York area every year since 2001.
“I think what we’re seeing is a change of generations that all teams need,” Vizuete said. “If we look at what we’ve done in these two matches, the next one will be the same thing, combining youth with experience and God willing, we’ll continue working.”
Brazil, who lost 7-1 to eventual champions Germany in the World Cup semi-finals, had the better of play early on, and the only two chances of the game until Willian scored. Neymar shot high on a long ball out of the back and then again on a free kick from 27 yards.
“He’s got a good personality and everybody is different,” Dunga said of Neymar. “But players react differently to being a leader and he went out there tonight and showed he could play.
“This is one of those games that he has played 90 minutes since the World Cup, and I thought he played well.”
Neymar provided Willian with the critical pass on the goal. He took a short ball on a free kick from Oscar and chipped it into the path of a streaking Willian, who met the ball at the six and rolled it under Alexander Dominguez inside the far post.
Enner Valencia played as a lone striker for Ecuador for much of the first half. He created Ecuador’s only chance in the opening 45 minutes, finding enough space to get off a right-footed shot from the right side and hit the near post in the 36th minute.
Both sides substituted liberally in the second half, when Daniel Angulo joined Valencia up front. Ecuador had a chance to equalise in the 61st minute, but Jefferson was able to get his hand to Valencia’s shot and Filipe Luis cleared the ball off the line.
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