Photos by Brandon Bleek and Casey Woodrum Captions by Steven Agen
USA and Ecuador met in Seattle, WA on Thursday night in the first quarterfinal of Copa America Centenario. The hosts ran out 2-1 winners thanks to goals from Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes.
USA manager Jurgen Klinsmann opted to replace suspended local boy DeAndre Yedlin, out with red card suspension, with natural center back Matt Besler. This was first major personnel shift for the Americans in the tournament so far.
Clint Dempsey opened the scoring on 22’. An industrious run into the area from Bobby Wood saw the forward get dragged wide of goal. He laid the ball back for Jermaine Jones, who lofted a pinpoint ball onto Dempsey’s forehead. The Seattle Sounders striker made no mistake in front of his home fans and USA led 1-0.
The goal highlighted the excellent play of Bobby Wood, who partnered Dempsey up top in a conventional 4-4-2. The Hamburger SV striker continually stretched the Ecuadorian back line with runs in behind them, and was integral to virtually offensive move USA put together in the first half.
Ecuador were unable to cut into the deficit by halftime and trailed 1-0 at the break. They seemed as if they were unable to wake up, never coming close to the intensity of the hosts in the first half. To be fair, nearly all of the 47,322 fans at CenturyLink Field were there to see the Americans advance. They created a partisan crowd the likes of which USA rarely play in front of, even on home soil.
The South Americans started the second period in far stronger fashion than the first culminating in the Antonio Valencia headed a free kick on towards Enner Valencia across the face of goal, but the West Ham United man couldn’t get a touch on the ball to turn it in from close range.
The match changed on 52’ when each side went down to ten men. Antonio Valencia earned a second yellow card by cynically chopping Alejandro Bedoya down from behind. A small scrum ensued near the sideline, after which Jermaine Jones was dismissed for violent conduct. At 10 on 10 the match opened up and more space was available for both teams to exploit.
USA would add to their lead before Ecuador would threaten again. This time Dempsey pounced on a looping loose ball inside the six yard box and shot towards the far post, where Gyasi Zardes was waiting to touch home into an empty net. On 65’, USA led 2-0 comfortably and seemed to be cruising towards the semifinals.
Ecuador refused to crumble after conceding again, and it seemed like the Zardes goal finally woke them up. Michael Arroyo pulled a goal back for La Tricolor on 74’, the third set piece goal USA have given up this tournament. Their free kick from near the right endline looked like a great position to whip a cross in from. Walter Ayovi instead chose to cut the ball back on the ground towards the top of the area, while everyone else was crowded into the six yard box. Arroyo ran onto the ball unmarked and thumped a first-time shot past Brad Guzan, cutting the deficit in half.
Ecuador finally kicked it into high gear after grabbing the goal, and pressed USA until the fulltime whistle. The Yankees were able to hold on through the final 18 minutes of regular time and 3 minutes of stoppage to advance to the semifinals.
The Americans used a strong home field advantage and a stout back four to oust Ecuador. USA continue their Copa run next Tuesday night at 7.30pm EST, taking on the winner of Argentina and Venezuela.
