USA vs. Ecuador Betting Odds Preview, Copa America Quarter-Final Prediction

In the most evenly matched Copa America quarter-final, the United States will face Ecuador on Thursday at Seattle’s CenturyLink Field.

The Americans are small +160 betting favorites (bet $100 to win $160) on the three-way line at sportsbooks monitored by Odds Shark. They ended up winning Group A when Colombia lost 3-2 to Costa Rica on Saturday after they edged Paraguay thanks to a goal by Clint Dempsey.

Ecuador placed second in Group B, finishing two points behind Peru.

Match Odds: USA +160, Ecuador +165, Draw +200

The United States, at +1,200 on the updated odds to win the Copa America, will obviously have a strong home-field advantage for this matchup with Ecuador in Seattle. Whether or not that will end up being good or bad for the Americans remains to be seen considering the enormous amount of pressure on them to advance to the semi-finals in their own country.

Ecuador will likely be more loose for this match, which could benefit them greatly if they can somehow find a way to score the first goal. The last meeting between the countries saw a 1-0 victory for the United States in a May tuneup for Copa America Centenario, and Ecuador will be looking to turn the tables here following two draws and a win in group play.

After a 0-0 tie against Brazil in their Copa America opener on June 4, Ecuador finished in a 2-2 deadlock with Group B winner Peru on June 8 before routing Haiti 4-0 on Sunday. Ecuador outshot Haiti 22-8 overall, including 10-3 on target, with Enner Valencia scoring first in each of the team’s last two games.

The win for the Americans over Ecuador last month was only their third versus a South American team in 21 games behind Darlington Nagbe’s first-ever international goal. History says it will be difficult for them to repeat that feat, though, with 14 losses and four draws resulting from the other 18 games against squads from that continent previously.

American head coach Jurgen Klinsmann will need to replace Seattle native DeAndre Yedlin, as the defender received two yellow cards in the second half of the team’s 1-0 victory against Paraguay. Michael Orozco is expected to take Yedlin’s spot in the lineup and will need to play well in order for the defense to continue playing at a high level.

The Americans have not allowed a goal since falling to Colombia 2-0 on June 3.

The fact that the United States will not be playing Brazil or Peru in the quarters is huge. Ecuador spoiled the party by sneaking into the knockout stage with Brazil losing 1-0 to Peru following a controversial handball, and they will now look to take advantage of this golden opportunity to eliminate the tournament hosts.

If the Americans end up overlooking their opponent at all, it could cost them.

USA vs. Ecuador Prediction: 2-1 Ecuador

All betting lines data courtesy of Odds Shark. Check out the latest Copa America news.