A bit over three weeks since clashing in a friendly, the USMNT and Ecuador will meet yet again. This time, however, the stakes are much higher as both the Stars and Stripes and Los Amarillos be vying for a spot in the Copa América Centenario semi-finals. And both sides will be eager to outwit one another as they seek to set up a potential match with either Venezuela or Argentina in the final four.
USMNT
It goes without saying that Jurgen Klinsmann's men did not start off their Copa América Centenario on the right foot, with a 2-0 defeat to Colombia not the result they had hoped for in their opener. However, the Yanks bounced back in spectacular fashion as they scored five goals - and conceded none - in their next two matches against Costa Rica and Paraguay en route to topping Group A. In their last match, veteran striker Clint Dempsey was the hero of the night as his solitary strike was enough to seal a much-needed win.
Dempsey netted his 51st career goal for the USMNT against Paraguay to clinch all three points for his side, and he will be expected to make an impact versus Ecuador this Thursday
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To date, the best ever finish the USMNT have achieved at this tournament was a fourth placed result back in the 1995 edition. But given that they are hosting it on home soil, there is naturally the added incentive to get their hands on what would be their first trophy since winning the Gold Cup in 2013. Of course, with teams like Argentina, Colombia, and Chile for company, the Stars and Stripes will face a tall order to make it to the final - but as fans saw this season with Leicester City, anything is possible in football.
In any case, can take one step closer towards the final by, obviously beating Ecuador on Thursday. However, Klinsmann will have some major concerns heading into this match - namely due to the number of players walking a suspension tightrope.
Defenders Michael Orozco, Fabian Johnson, and John Brooks, midfielders Alejandro Bedoya, Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, and striker Bobby Wood all have picked up yellows and will miss out on the semi-final if they pick up another booking. Meanwhile, DeAndre Yedlin will be banned after accumulating two yellows in rapid succession against Paraguay, leaving his teammates to have to finish the game with a man down.
Ecuador
Meanwhile, Ecuador, as USMNT fans observed, will be a tough side to break down defensively. To prevent Brazil from scoring is no easy feat, and in fact, were it not for a controversial offside call, they might have picked up all three points. They also fought from 2-0 down to salvage a draw against eventual group-winners Peru, and cruised to a very easy 4-0 win over Haiti.
Gustavo Quinteros's side will be gunning for revenge after losing their last meeting with the USA. Although it was just a pre-tournament friendly, it marked the first time in nine years that La Tricolor were unable to get the better of the Stars and Stripes - and they will be keen on making sure that this time around, they're the ones coming out on top.
Three Premier League-based players - Antonio Valencia, Jefferson Montero, and Enner Valencia - will be the go-to men for Ecuador. Both Valencias (who are not related) have been responsible for three goals (or 50 per cent of Ecuador's total thus far) and will be looking to cause the USA's back-line quite a bit of headaches on Thursday evening.
Enner Valencia and Jaime Ayoví celebrate their goals in Ecuador's 4-0 rout of Haiti that saw them seal their spot in the quarter-finals
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Which channel is broadcasting USA vs Ecuador on TV or Online?
Not able to make it to CenturyLink Field to catch the USMNT vs Ecuador live? No problem. LiveSoccerTV.com has put together plenty of options for you to tune in via TV, computer, phone, or tablet.
Here are all the available choices for fans residing in the following countries:
- In the USA at 21.30 EST on: Fox Sports 1 USA, fuboTV, Fox Soccer 2GO USA, Fox Sports GO, Futbol de Primera Radio, Univision Deportes USA, UniMás, Univision USA
- In Ecuador at 20.30 ECT on: Gamavision, DIRECTV Sports Ecuador, DIRECTV Play Deportes
- In the UK at 02.30 BST (Friday) on: Premier Sports
- In Canada at 21.30 ET on: Univision Canada
Live elsewhere? Check out our special USA vs Ecuador broadcast page for viewing times and options for your current location.
*Note: Live broadcast data is subject to change*
USMNT vs Ecuador - Key stats & facts
- Prior to their win on May 25th, the USMNT had not beaten Ecuador since March 2007
- Ecuador, along with Venezuela, are the only CONMEBOL sides to never win this tournament
- This is Ecuador's first quarter-finals appearance since the 1997 edition - after that, they were knocked out at the group stages in six consecutive tournaments
- The USA have only won two knockout (non consolation) matches against non-CONCACAF teams: Brazil at the 1998 Gold Cup and Spain at the 2009 Confederations Cup...
- ...whilst they have lost a whopping 12 times
Match details, result and original broadcast info
This match has ended. Below are the original Live broadcast details for this match.
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
Live TV coverage and streaming in United States
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