United States of America vs Ecuador. Copa America Quarter Final.
CenturyLink Field.
Friday 17 June 2016 10:18, UK
The United States reached the Copa America semi-finals after a pulsating 2-1 win over Ecuador.
Seattle Sounders forward Clint Dempsey headed the US in front before half-time on his home ground and Gyasi Zardes' second-half tap-in proved decisive as Michael Arroyo pulled one back.
Victory came at a cost, though, with Jermaine Jones sent off, Bobby Wood and Alejandro Bedoya also collecting suspensions and Dempsey with an ice pack on his right knee after being substituted. Ecuador's Antonio Valencia was also dismissed.
The match was preceded by an impeccable one-minute silence to honour the victims of the recent shooting at a gay nightclub in Florida and States captain Michael Bradley wore a rainbow armband.
Both teams had early chances, Wood steering wide from Bedoya's through-ball for the hosts before Geoff Cameron's miss-kick gifted Arroyo a chance from which he blasted wide.
But CenturyLink Field erupted as local favourite Dempsey opened the scoring 22 minutes in, heading in Jones' deft cross after Wood laid the ball back.
Goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez denied Dempsey a second from Bedoya's lay-off while at the other end, John Brooks blocked Arroyo's shot.
Dempsey teed up Bedoya but Dominguez saved well, while keeper Brad Guzan preserved the States' lead to the interval after Bradley's poor back-pass let in Arroyo.
Cameron was fortunate again after bringing down Enner Valencia in the penalty area - the West Ham forward got straight to his feet and the referee did not give the spot-kick.
Antonio Valencia, booked in the first half for fouling Brooks, then hacked at Bedoya and received a second yellow card, with Jones also sent off for jabbing Arroyo in the face in the aftermath and a booking for Wood earning him a suspension.
The US took a two-goal lead when Brooks' long ball and Bedoya's cross created the chance and Dempsey fired across goal for Zardes to touch in from a matter of inches.
Bedoya also collected a second booking of the tournament and from the resulting free-kick, Walter Ayovi laid the ball to the edge of the box and Arroyo thumped home to bring the game to life.
Kyle Beckerman immediately replaced Dempsey but the States continued living dangerously as Enner Valencia twice headed wide from six yards.
Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros was sent from the dugout for comment to the fourth official but as the game entered four minutes of stoppage time, Guzan had to desperately keep out Brooks' sliced clearance.
Arturo Mina then headed wide after a scramble from a corner as Jurgen Klinsmann's side held on. They will face Argentina or Venezuela in Houston next Tuesday.
You can watch the Copa America live on Premier Sports.
