US Men's Soccer vs. Ecuador: Win Will Let US Know Jurgen Klinsmann Has Arrived

Jurgen Klinsmann obtained his first win as coach of the US National Team by taking down Honduras in a 1-0 shutout. It was a great victory, but a US victory over Ecuador would be just the sort of statement win Klinsmann needs to validate himself to the team and the country in general.

Ecuador presents a tough challenge. Holding them to a shutout is going to be nearly impossible, so in order to walk away with a victory, the US will need to put Klinsmann's new offensive tactics on display.

Klinsmann values putting forth a creative and explosive attack. The US don't have the personnel or the experience in the system to run it to perfection just yet, but that doesn't mean the attack is going to be a non-factor.

The 1-0 score at the end of the match versus Honduras is deceiving. The US had plenty of opportunities to score and failed to do so. The score could have easily been 3-0 at the end of the match.

Then again, Honduras missed out on chances as well. The US were lucky to escape Honduras without seeing a goal hit the back of their net. Honduras was threatening the entire match, and it's incredible that the US were able to go unscathed.

Clint Dempsey and Jozy Altidore have to get it going in this match if the US is going to be successful. The back line put their shortcomings on display—even though they produced a shutout—and the US attack has to be on point to defeat Ecuador.

Ecuador's speed will be a huge factor in this match. If the US find themselves on their heels or chasing Ecuador's attack, this match is over.

Even so, they picked up some confidence against Honduras, and while they will need to raise their level of play, a win certainly isn't out of the question.

Taking down a team like Ecuador is the sort of win the US needs to officially kick off the Jurgen Klinsmann era.