As the Copa América Centenario enters its knockout stage, one of the teams that has never been able to win the tournament wants to chance its history. Ecuador will try to reach the semi-finals of this competition for the second time ever, and they will try do so with one of the finest generations of footballers ever to grace their National Team.
Being the leader of the 2018 World Cup Qualifiers is no easy task, and Ecuador has done it with grace and style. With that in mind, let's have an in-depth look at La Tricolor's real chances of success against the USMNT, and everything they need to win a semi-final spot away from their home country for the first time.
1. Keeping it together in defense
Ecuador established themselves as quite the defensive powerhouse, given that only Argentina and Venezuela allowed fewer goals than them. A crucial aspect to look after when the game against the Americans begins will be how La Tricolor's defenders shift themselves to keep Dempsey & Co. out of action. Furthermore, experienced players such as Juan Carlos Paredes and Walter Ayovi have the skills and speed to outrun any of the USMNT's strikers.
Ecuadorian captain Walter Ayovi was one of the team's top performers during their goal-less draw against Brazil, where he managed to stop none other than Philippe Coutinho.
2. Exploiting the USMNT's flanks
La Tricolor's wingmen are some of the best in the tournament. Players such as Jefferson Montero and Enner Valencia have dominated opposing defenses, and even created chaos among Peru's defenders during their 2-2 draw a week ago. With the absence of DeAndre Yedlin on the right flank, Montero's speed and agility will be the key to open the USMNT's defense.
Montero(right) has become one of the most dangerous wingmen in South American football since he left Mexican club Morelia to join Swansea City.
3. Putting Antonio Valencia's experience to good use
The talented Manchester United midfielder is the heart and soul of Ecuador's offense. Almost every ball that ends up finding their strikers' feet has to be touched by Valencia, and his ability to send through balls to his quick team-mates could come in handy for Gustavo Quinteros' team. Valencia was involved in most of Ecuador's goals during the first round, and his leadership will be key for his team's survival.
Valencia (Number 16) has played 83 games and scored nine goals for La Tricolor.
4. Cancel out the USMNT's slow holding midfield
Michael Bradley and Jermaine Jones have proven to be quite useful for Klinsmann's men, but their next challenge will be one they didn't approve just this summer. When the USMNT lost against Colombia, Los Cafeteros' midfield dominated possession, mostly because Bradley & Jones couldn't keep up with Edwin Cardona, James Rodriguez & Juan Cuadrado.
Ecuador's midfielders, even if they are not as well-known as their Colombian counterparts, have the same skills and quickness that gave Bradley and Jones a hard time during the tournament's opening game, and if Ecuador's players can put up a performance such as they one they did against Brazil, the hosts could suffer a great deal to stop them.
FC Rostov's Christian Noboa(middle) is one of the most intelligent midfielders playing for Gustavo Quinteros.
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