Dempsey’s 52nd global goal, five behind Landon Donovan’s American record, put the US ahead in the 22nd minute.
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Former Schalke and Blackburn Rovers midfielder Jermaine Jones also saw red for his reaction to Valencia’s challenge, reducing the hosts to ten men as well.
Dempsey has now played a part in all but one USA goal in the tournament, scoring three and assisting on three more to secure his country’s first semifinal berth since 1995.
The subsequent 10 v 10 circumstances should’ve benefitted Ecuador, but the USA scored in the 75th minute on tap-in from Gyasi Zardes off a Dempsey cross.
They will now await the victor of the quarter-final between Argentina and Venezuela to meet them in Houston.
Ecuador hit back in the second half through Michael Arroyo, but the South Americans could not find the decisive leveller at CenturyLink Field in Seattle.
PLAYER OF THE GAME • David Ospina is the hero for Colombian fans this evening.
Jones was sent off with a red card early in the second half against Ecuador, and forward Bobby Wood and winger Alejandro Bedoya both picked up their second yellow cards of the tournament, The U.S. Soccer Federation has appealed Jones’ red and Wood’s second yellow.
The specific questions Jurgen Klinsmann and the U.S. coaching staff are going to have to answer are who is going to replace Bobby Wood (suspended on yellow card accumulation), Angel Bedoya (suspended on yellow card accumulation), and Jermaine Jones (suspended for Red Card in Ecuador game). Bedoya and stellar attacker, Wood, also received yellow card’s, each their second of the tournament. Jones can not play in the Semifinal.
The only previous knockout win for the USA over a non-CONCACAF team was against Spain in the 2009 Confederations Cup semifinal. This has led to Dempsey’s incredible success in the past 3 games, with 3 goals and 3 assists.
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The USMNT were able to advance to the semi-finals of the tournament with the win. Zardes headed the ball to his left for Dempsey. A huge blow to the U.S. Matt Besler subbed in place of Yedlin and played rather well in his place. He did so for both American goals. Enner Valencia had two great chances in the 76th and 77th minutes, and Brooks almost had an own goal in the first minute of stoppage time, only to see the ball deflected wide by goalkeeper Guzan.
