REFEREE: WIlmar Roldam (COL). Valencia was shown a second yellow card for the tackle and sent off as well.
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There was an instance when they took “fighting” a little too seriously, as Jermaine Jones hit Michael Arroyo in the face and got a red card. And it is now seeking an even more momentous achievement, with a first ever knockout-round victory in any tournament outside of Ecuador in its sights.
US and Ecuador face off Thursday in Seattle, Wash., in the quarterfinals of Copa America 2016. Bobby Wood charged up the field while keeping possession, then laid the ball off for Jermaine Jones who popped a one-time cross in the air, and Clint Dempsey rose majestically to guide a header into the right corner of the net. As a result, the Jurgen Klinsmann will be forced to start a new lineup for the first time this tournament, and one of the big talking points has been how the back line will be tweaked due to Yedlin’s absence. Will Fabian Johnson flip over to the right (where he played in the World Cup 2014 and the CONCACAF cup against Mexico) bringing Edgar Castillo at left back or might we see Matt Besler reprise his role there as he did in the friendly against Ecuador 3 weeks ago? Klinsmann made a decision to keep the center back pairing of Geoff Cameron and John Anthony Brooks together and not risk a chance at breaking up the chemistry the two have.
Both players had their hands up.
Second half-2, United States, Zardes 1 (Dempsey), 65th minute. Dempsey was credited with the assist, and was replaced by Kyle Beckerman nine minutes later.
The U.S. passing interchange was fantastic at times and created several chances. Fourth Official_Wilton Pereira Sampaio, Brazil. After a terrible turnover in the midfield, Ecuador was off to the races.
Another benchmark for the United States. Things got real interesting in the 52nd minute. For the final 38 minutes, both teams would be down to ten men. Bedoya and Wood were each issued yellow cards in the match and will serve suspensions for yellow card accumulation.
Just 10 or so minutes later, Wood found Dempsey into the box, where the forward’s pass towards the far post was poked in by Gyasi Zardes to make it 2-0 to the Americans. This will lead to an early goal and a late capper for a Dos a Cero win against the other Tricolor with a likely semifinal date against Argentina in Houston next Tuesday as the reward. Arroyo would not miss as he fired his shot past Guzan and gave Ecuador some hope with 16 minutes to play. Jones then chipped the ball forward for Dempsey, who headed it in from about 10 yards for his third goal of the tournament and the 52 of this national team career. Projectiles flew from the Ecuador bench in protest of a call, and its coach was asked to leave the field.
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Somehow the United States was able to hold on and beat a very feisty Ecuadorian team.
