USA vs. Ecuador: Score, Reaction from 2016 International Friendly

After a sluggish first half, the United States men's national soccer team looked ready for the upcoming Copa America Centenario in June during Wednesday's 1-0 victory over Ecuador in an international friendly at Toyota Stadium in Frisco, Texas.  

Darlington Nagbe buried a shot in the back of the net in the 90th minute to give the Americans the dramatic victory, while Brad Guzan pitched a clean sheet in goal. Sam Stejskal of MLS Soccer's official website noted the Americans had 22 of the 23 players named to the Copa America roster available against Ecuador, so they have something to build on with the win.

ESPN Stats & Info pointed out a lineup switch that moved Michael Bradley and utilized Nagbe proved to be the difference between a scoreless first half and the breakthrough goal, as well as overall control of the game in the second half:

While Nagbe was the ultimate difference-maker, Clint Dempsey made some team history just by being in the starting lineup. Paul Carr of ESPN Stats & Info said he tied DaMarcus Beasley for the fifth-most caps (123) for the United States.

Despite Dempsey's experience, it was Ecuador that controlled the early portion of the game. La Tricolor had multiple opportunities in the opening 17 minutes, but Guzan and the American defense continued to turn them away. Guzan snagged a corner kick and cut off a crossing pass, but the Americans weren't generating much counteraction, as SB Nation's Stars and Stripes FC highlighted:

The offense remained limited for the rest of the first half, as the two teams went into the halftime locker rooms in a scoreless tie. The only silver lining for the Americans was the fact three different Ecuador players received yellow cards in the opening 45 minutes. 

Ives Galarcep of SBISoccer.com said there was "too much of a disconnect between the USMNT midfield and [the] front [three]." Carr echoed those sentiments when he noted Dempsey's "10 first-half touches were the fewest of any player." 

Brian Sciaretta of American Soccer Now realized the issues were familiar:

Ecuador opened the second half with Esteban Dreer in goal after Alexander Dominguez suffered an injury late in stoppage time during the first. The United States finally established some forward momentum to challenge the new goalkeeper, as Jermaine Jones, Dempsey and Bradley all had scoring opportunities between the 59th and 61st minutes. 

Carr recognized how important the versatile Bradley was as the Americans looked to break the tie:

The United States missed arguably its best opportunity of the game until its one goal when Alejandro Bedoya sprinted down the right side and received a crossing pass to the far post from Graham Zusi. There was a clear path to the goal, but he struck it just wide, and it leaked just outside the post. The opening came after an extended passing sequence, which caught Sciaretta's eye:

The United States' golden chances in the second half served as foreshadowing for the game's most important moment when Nagbe connected on the contest's only goal at the 90-minute mark. It was his first international goal, per ESPN Stats & Info, and U.S. Soccer passed along the highlight:

Sciaretta looked at the goal and Nagbe's breakthrough in the larger context of the team moving forward:

Ecuador had one final chance with a free kick outside the box, but Michael Arroyo sailed it well over the crossbar. 

What's Next?

The Americans' final Copa America Centenario warm-up will come Saturday against Bolivia in Kansas City. If they parlay the late momentum they generated Wednesday into an impressive performance in the Bolivia match, they will likely have plenty of confidence moving into the tournament. 

Their three group games in the Copa America Centenario come June 3 (against Colombia), June 7 (against Costa Rica) and June 11 (against Paraguay)—all on home soil. 

The United States picked up some experience playing against solid competition in front of supporters on Wednesday in the victory over Ecuador with a similar lineup to the one fans will see at the Copa America Centenario. If the second-half surge was an indication the players grew familiar with each other, the Red, White and Blue will have a strong showing in June.

Postgame Reaction

United States coach Jurgen Klinsmann predicted his team would need a late goal to win, per Shawn Smajstrla of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram: “I told them at halftime this game would be decided after minute 70. I thought it was a very good test. It gives us a good first taste of the football they play in South America.”

Nagbe talked about his goal and how it will help him moving forward, per Schuyler Dixon of the Associated Press (via the Kansas City Star): “It gives you a lot of confidence. To come out here and have a little bit of the ball and create some chances and get a goal and get the win, it's good.”

Outside of Nagbe, the defense was critical for the Americans. Guzan recognized their efforts in front of him, per Dixon (via the Kansas City Star): “They didn't really create a whole lot, and I think that was a testament to the work of the guys in front of me. Tonight was a taste of what we're going to probably experience in the next couple of weeks. It was good not only to get a clean sheet, but I think it was really important in terms of getting a result.”

If the United States plays defense like that in the Copa America Centenario, it will be difficult to beat.