USA vs. Ecuador: Key Issues That Will Shape International Friendly

The United States Men's National Team is back together this week. Sort of.

As the following slides will illustrate, American soccer supporters who fell fleetingly in love with the determined Yankees who survived a group of death in the 2014 World Cup may be a bit disoriented if they tune in to this friendly with Ecuador.

Nothing against Ecuador, but after you have watched the Americans take on the likes of Germany and Belgium in packed Brazilian stadia, the experience of watching them play Ecuador in a friendly in a little town like East Hartford just cannot have the same effect.

Here are some of the issues that the Americans' match with Ecuador will present.

An Odd Goodbye for Landon Donovan

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East Hartford is an odd place for Donovan to be riding off into the sunset.

Landon Donovan's storied United States men's national team career will end against Ecuador. Donovan will earn his 157th and final cap for the Americans.

Why does this feel so, well, odd?

Maybe Alexi Lalas can explain: "It's strange. It's a very strange type of situation...the way that it's being done, the fact that this was coming not necessarily from Jurgen Klinsmann...I think there will be moments of awkwardness."

Lalas also said that the decision to name Donovan to the squad for this match had come "from the U.S. Soccer Federation," not Klinsmann. And there is no denying that, on an American side replete with young players, Donovan looks like he does not belong.

This, unfortunately, is usually what happens whenever a player leaves the stage a little bit too late rather than a little bit too early.

Where Are All the Good Players?

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Bradley is right where he is most comfortable. Out of the spotlight.

Remember that American World Cup team from 2014? Clint Dempsey! Michael Bradley! Jermaine Jones! Kyle Beckerman!

Yeah, none of them will be in East Hartford for this match.

"Their teams all have games with serious playoff implications coming up on Friday and Saturday—since Major League Soccer doesn't observe the FIFA calendar—and Klinsmann is believed to have been mindful of their games," wrote Leander Schaerlaekens for Fox Sports.

It is somehow fitting that while Klinsmann is trying to figure out how to find his best XI for the Americans' 2018 World Cup run, Bradley will be trying to drag Toronto FC into the MLS playoffs.

Opportunities Abound for Young Players

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Green is fun to watch.

With so many experienced American players missing, Klinsmann was forced to dig fairly deep to fill his squad against Ecuador.

"Minnesota United attacker Miguel Ibarra was also named to the squad, the first player from the lower divisions of North American soccer to receive a US national-team call-up since Clyde Simms was asked to remain in camp with the full team in 2005, while still a member of the Richmond Kickers," noted MLSSoccer.com.

You read that right. A player from American soccer's minor leagues is going to dress for this friendly. So keep plugging away, Harrisburg City Islanders! Your time might come soon!

"Absent the veteran defensive presence of Bradley, Jones and Beckerman, the manager asked (Alejandro) Bedoya, (Joe) Corona and (Mix) Diskerud to keep the ball and pressure the Czechs while supported by the speedy (Julian) Green and (Joe) Gyau on the flanks. That option will be available once again in Hartford," wrote Brian Straus for SI.com.

American soccer fans will want to see as much of Julian Green as possible. He is the only difference-maker on the roster.

Have We Seen the Last of Tim Howard on the USMNT?

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Howard has not said anything lately, but the question bears asking.

Tim Howard was last seen in a United States shirt doing everything he could to will the Americans past both Belgium and the Americans' own impotence in the World Cup.

No one could blame Howard for asking for and receiving a year's break from international duty, as he did in August per USSoccer.com.

Howard is 35 years old now and will be 36 when his sabbatical ends. He will still be under contract at Everton, but by that time Aston Villa keeper Brad Guzan (30) will probably be ensconced as the No. 1 American goalkeeper.

Guzan should start for the Americans against Ecuador as he did against the Czech Republic in September.

By the time 2015 rolls around, memories of Howard's greatness may be just that.

A Very Good Test for the Americans

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West Ham United's Enner Valencia is one of the familiar faces to Americans on the Ecuadoran squad.

Give Klinsmann this much: He is not scheduling any sides remotely like San Marino and Andorra for these friendlies.

Ecuador did not survive the group stage at the 2014 World Cup, but losing out narrowly to France and Switzerland was no disgrace. Especially after Antonio Valencia saw red against France at the Maracana.

Antonio Valencia is a fine player, but it is Enner Valencia that American soccer fans will want to watch carefully.

"Enner Valencia's 70 mph missile for West Ham in their 2-2 draw with Hull City on Monday night left the KC Stadium and the millions watching on TV open-jawed in amazement," wrote Adam Shergold in the Daily Mail in September.

Ecuador trounced Bolivia by 4-0, then lost a 1-0 result to international power Brazil in their two September friendlies.

The Americans should get all they want from La Tri in this friendly.