USA vs. Ecuador: Latest Form Guide, Live Stream and Predictions
The United States will play host to Ecuador on Friday evening in a clash between North and South American giants hoping to impress under friendly circumstances.
Connecticut's Rentschler Field will play host to the encounter, featuring two nations each of whom played their part in the 2014 World Cup with contrasting levels of success.
Nothing as grand as that rests on the line this week, but the two teams will nevertheless look to use this fixture as a proving ground for their pedigree.
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Date: Friday, Oct. 10
Time: 12 a.m. BST (Oct. 11)/7 p.m. ET
Live Stream: Watch ESPN (US)
Form Guide
The United States rose to become a favourite among neutral supporters during the World Cup this past summer, beating Ghana and drawing against Portugal to somehow make it out of Group G behind Germany.
Belgium would come to better Jurgen Klinsmann's men in the round of 16, but despite failing to win any of their last three games at the tournament, the U.S.A. bounced back more recently with a 1-0 victory over the Czech Republic last month.
That latest win saw Klinsmann use a raft of younger, less experienced international faces, and the Washington Post's Steven Goff quoted the coach saying more will be afforded their chances this week:
Ecuador also claimed a four-point haul in their World Cup pool, but in their case it was insufficient to advance from Group E. They also finished with a neutral goal difference, like the United States.
West Ham's Enner Valencia will draw inevitable attention as the live-wire forward capable of making things happen for Ecuador. He'll be a threat both from range and when balls are thrown into the box from wide areas.
Interim coach Sixto Vizuete has had a mixed bag of results since the World Cup, beating Bolivia 4-0 and losing to Brazil 1-0 last month, making for an ambiguous outing on Friday.
Prediction
Both sides come into this matchup with an identical record, having each won two, lost two and drawn one of their five most recent outings.
The difference in Ecuador's favour, however, is that they seem to be showing more defensive development under Vizuete's tutelage, and Klinsmann's plan to utilise younger members of his squad could impact the scoreline.
The United States won't want to go out on the end of a losing result as Landon Donovan prepares to make his final international appearance, per Sports Illustrated, and it could be that their home advantage comes to have a significant influence on the team.
Of the two sides, the South American visitors seem the most likely to open up and take on an attacking rhythm, but in truth it's difficult to separate the pair.
Prediction: United States 2-2 Ecuador
