The USA survived a late onslaught by Ecuador as the hosts held on to win 2-1 and progressed to the semi-finals of the Copa America 2016. In one of the most engaging clashes of the tournament so far, the US went ahead in the 22nd minute after Clint Dempsey struck a wonderful header before Gyasi Zardes made it 2-0 midway in the second half, albeit, not before both sides were reduced to 10-men.
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Ecuador, staring at elimination, were not to be bogged down as they pressed relentlessly. Their efforts paid off when Michael Arroyo halved the deficit 15 minutes from time, but Los Amarillos just couldn’t get the all-important equaliser.
The USMNT breathed a sigh of relief as they were let off the hook and booked a place in the last four of the competition. We glance through some of the talking points that shaped the game.
1) City of Seattle served a treat
Interestingly, this was only the second time that the US men’s national football team played at the CenturyLink Field in Seattle, and the city was served an absolute treat as the hosts and Ecuador played out a thrilling contest that met with an equalling thrilling finish.
Playing in Washington’s largest city for the first time since 2013, this match bore special significance to the Yanks and also the hoi polloi of Seattle. And the first quarter-final of this year’s Copa America made sure it lived up to all the hoopla in its build-up by producing a gripping contest.
The US, dominant for large spells, were sailing through to the semis with a 2-0 win, but Ecuador’s valiant show in the final few minutes raised the thrill factor up by a notch. Gustavo Quinteros’ side did manage to conjure a few good chances late in the game, but the home side held firm to deny any last-minute bumps.
The full-time whistle sent ripples across the stadium as the USA emerged victorious, which was just the icing on the cake for the bacchanalic fans.
2) Dempsey still USA’s best attacker
Ahead of Klinsmann’s team selection for the Copa America Centenario, there were calls for Clint Dempsey to be dropped from the final 23-man squad. The Seattle Sounders midfielder was lacking in form and there were beliefs he did not fit into the system. However, since the last 3 games, he has quelled all the doubts.
The US skipper was quiet in the 2-0 opening game defeat to Colombia but has raised his game thereafter. Dempsey was one of the scorers in the 4-0 hammering of Costa Rica, and then sealed the hosts’ passage into the last 16 after condemning Paraguay to a 1-0 defeat. However, his biggest contribution thus far came in their latest outing as the 33-year-old scored and assisted in his side’s 2-1 victory.
Dempsey opened the scoring with a brilliant header 15 yards out, and then turned a provider for Zardes in the second half. Klinsmann’s decision to play him as the second striker in a more conservative 4-4-2 approach has reaped rewards as the USMNT forward has gone on to prove his worth.
3) Klinsmann’s defensive tweaks worked
USA right-back DeAndre Yedlin picked up a second yellow in the 1-0 win over Paraguay, ruling him out of the quarter-final clash with Ecuador. His absence meant there weren’t ideal replacements for the 22-year old in the squad, but Jurgen Klinsmann made some changes to the backline that made light of his suspension.
The German moved Fabian Johnson to the right-back position and started centre-back Matt Besler on the left. Michael Orozco remained on the bench. The move was a risky one, but it eventually paid off up to some extent as the USA were able to thwart Ecuador from finding the equaliser, although they did concede one under pressure.
The strategy highlighted Klinsmann's tactical nous, and that will be put through the paces again when Argentina will most likely line-up against them in the last 4.
4) Ecuador threw everything at the USA, but to no avail
The Tricolor although caused some screaming abdabs in the US hearts with their late surge, but couldn’t find the second goal that could’ve forced a penalty shoot-out.
Until the 65th minute, Ecuador were spending their time in the shadows of the Americans, and the game was all but over when Gyasi Zardes made it 2-0 for USA and almost put the game beyond reach. Whilst that should’ve knocked the stuffing out of them, Ecuador instead produced a late fightback that almost turned the game around.
Regaining control of the ball, the Latin-Americans pushed forward at full pelt and forced the US to claw back into the box. Captain Walter Ayovi set-up Arroyo from a free-kick, and Ecuador were half way there.
Quinteros’ men were suddenly in control of the match and Enner Valencia had two good chances to put Ecuador level, but headed wide. La Tri did not go down without a fight, but the problem was they woke up too late.
5) Will the suspensions affect USA in the semi-final?
The victory for the USA today wasn’t without its warts. In a tensely contested game, both the USA and Ecuador were reduced to 10-men in the second half after a melee ensued between the sides.
For the hosts, Jermaine Jones was given a straight red for pushing an Ecuador player, whereas Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya each picked up a yellow that will keep them out of the semi-final, where a potential mouth-watering clash with favourites with Argentina awaits them.
That will surely be their biggest test in the competition thus far, and the USA are huge underdogs going into the game. And now without three of their regulars, it’s going to be tougher for the hosts.
Can Jugen Klinsmann pull a rabbit out of his hat once again and save USA ? Or will the might of Lionel Messi and co. prove to be too strong for them ? Only time will tell.
