Coming off of their 3-1 win over Puerto Rico on Sunday, the U.S. Men’s National Team will take on a more difficult opponent Wednesday night when they face Ecuador.
The U.S. roster will be expanded against their CONMEBOL counterpart, now including MLS players to go along with the European and Mexican-based members. Captain Michael Bradley, Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes will each figure into the team’s starting attack, while fans will look for 17-year-old winger Christian Pulisic to make an appearance.
Geoff Cameron’s absence at center back gives D.C. United defender Steve Birnbaum the starting nod next to John Brooks. Birnbaum will be looking for a strong performance against a quick, technical Ecuadorian squad as an audition in the event that Cameron can’t start at Copa America.
If you will be watching today’s soccer, please feel free to share your thoughts, opinions and some play-by-play in the comments section below.
Enjoy the action.
Ecuador free kick booted into the stands. That’s all folks.
Lovely goal. Yedlin with the sick shake. Nagbe with the sick finish.
Interesting JK quoted as saying if the WC was today this would be his 23. He sees birnbaum as better than Omar which I concur personally. He sees Pulisic as ready, nagbe as very valuable, beckerman zusi and Clint as still useful. Interesting.
4 mins extra time. US has been the better squad in the 2h.
Goal Nagbe! 90th minute. Setup by Wood winning a header down for the half volley.
This team is going 3 and out at Copa America, aren’t they?
Idk bout that Ecuador is actually 1st place in wcq in commembol.
Nagbe!!!
Second half has been better, though they’re still unable to complete chances. Pulisic has been great, even with just a few touches.
Pulisic 1 yd away from getting his first sr goal
Was stepping back to stay on side
Sure. Wasn’t sayin he did. Anything wrong just that he was close.
Oh my. Zusi darts into the box with nice ball control and pass across box and shot wide. Sequence set up by CP tracking down a long ball.
Pulisic’s 40yd chest trap made me smile…
Ditto.
What i bad game from the US, seems like we are going backwards
I mean, I started watching in the 50th minute, but the US has clearly been the better team since I’ve been watching. Nagbe and Fabian Johnson have looked particularly good
Pretty cool watching nagbe, FJ and pulisic combine on the left. A lot of quality there
Rob dog. The best part about that sequence was that it all was done naturally and instinctually which hasn’t been the hallmark to date for the U.S.
Pulisic and Bedoya in for Deuce and JJ. Wood now central striker in 4-3-3
And we have a shot by JJ (not on target). Break out the Bud Ice. And then an attack with Wood finding Deuce … blocked… And MB90 skies the rebound.
Lineup changes – Wood and Nagbe in; Zardes and Beckernan out. MB90 sitting in front of backline with JJ and Nagbe pushing up.
On paper I like these moves and the placement of MB.
And not a coincidence we have more of the ball thus half wth MB90 as the #6.
Were any subs made at halftime?
MB90 with a tasty swerving ball into the Ecuador that goes wanting – paging Deuce. Then runs his tail off to stop an Ecuador counter
Seriously, what was the point of playing Zardes? Resting Woods?
Nagbe gunna be on in the 2nd half! I don’t understand why we use wide players zardes, zusi when we can’t even get them the ball. Purpose of wide players is to get past the fullback and get in the cross.
Wheres the attack? zero shots
We had a set play, with Bradley taking the kick. Went to the keepers hands. Though it looks like he took a misstep or something since he signaled for a sub as the ref was asking for the ball.
Have we had any legitimate attacking sequences?
Not yet. We are waiting for a set play
Which is hilarious because even with zusi out there we still have to suffer through Bradley butchering the dead balls.
40 minutes in and it’s been fairly even for both sides. No clear chances, other than corners or brief break aways. US has tried going forward but there has been a lack of creativity.
Yedlin getting abused.
I wouldn’t say abused he’s done ok. He’s defending a epl calober winger he’s gotten by him a few times he’s stopped him a few times.
Phew. DY caught upfield and another Ecuador attack down the flank dealt with by JAB.
What Chicago Josh said.
Pulisic and Wood for Zusi and Zardes, please
Zusi gets clattered into from behind. 3nd yellow for Ecuador.
*2nd* yellow.
I haven’t seen any footage of Zardes, but it sounds like it’s the same we’ve seen before. I know he’s industrious, but I do not understand his selection for the Nats.
Zardes on point with the #dinkeytoinch
If you bet house money on GZ first touch blowing a great chance you win big. Put in on goal by Deuce and again a heavy first touch kills the chance.
Certainly was, but Dempsey and Wood also had terrible first touches that blew excellent scoring chances tonight.
It is clear to me that while JK is not real good as a coach, we don’t have Talent. Our best guys are just average for better teams or below. I love how hard JJ plays but he couldn’t Play for Germany MB was as good as we had and that was good enough. I still try to watch every game but we need Talented players
Nice touch Zardes…. that’s exactly his problem. He has a terrible touch.
Zusi and Zardes on the wings is like the most uninspiring thing ever.
Ecuador counter after another US attack where DY cut back pass misses MB90. JJ with the yellow as DY caught up field.
Deuce sails the free kick attempt well over Ecuador goal. And a real attacking sequence with JJ who cuts the ball back and shot by Zusi (?) is scuffed.
How’s the back line for us looking with these four?
DY with several solid individual plays in 1 v 1. Brooks strong in the air but sloppy passing and lack of cover for DY when he gets involved in the attack.
Free kick by MB90… Birnbaum called for the obvious push in the box. Just nothing doing for the US, who haven’t “gotten into the game” yet.
Montero blows by JJ and beats DY to the end line but Guzan parries the cross.
The more things change is the more it remains the same. Almost the same clowns who choked in the Gold Cup and playoff for the Confederation Cup.
Zardes is the prototypical American player, big, fast, athletic and lacking any kind of soccer skills.
First 15 mins usa getting dominated in possession.
Watching here from Playa Tamarindo, Costa Rica. My “CablaTica” connection is showing “no signal” for ESPN…so here I am.
I love tamarindo. With a beach like that who needs soccer lol
Our 4-3-3 with high press “lite” leads to a quick sequence ending in a JAB tackle and corner kick Guzan snags.
DY shuts down his mark 1-on-1 to squash an Ecuador sequence. Nicely done.
Ok Old School… 5 mins in, and US not showing any creativity in advancing the ball past Ecuador’s high press. Turnovers by Brooks and Yedlin (one of which led to a scuffed attempt) only notes so far.
Our jerseys suck
Zardes just doesn’t have international quality. He has proven that again and again. I just don’t understand it.
Agreed. I don’t have the opportunity to watch many Galaxy games. Is he outstanding for them because he is never good for the national team.
Been a stud for galaxy all year. One of their most consistent players. Been playing as more of a target player lately (Keane was injured for a bit). I rate him ahead of Zusi and about even with Bedoya, but a higher ceiling… although it doesn’t really matter how I rate anyone
Looking for an SBI poster-MVP to give a solid play-by-play for those of us not able to watch it live.
Second half I got u lol
Why is there no viewing information? That is the sole reason I clicked on this article
ESPN2/UNIMAS/UDN 8pm ET
Ah, the dynamic Jones Bradley Beckerman midfield
Fairly non-controversial lineup. Only surprise is Zusi instead of Bedoya and maybe no Wood.
Yeah but on the bright side: competent corners!
Bedoya had a small knock last game, seems to be resting for the actual tourney.
Wood similar minus smell knock.
Nothing screams confidence like weighting your midfield with defensive-minded players.
Real shame is that I’d bet the family farm and condo in Pismo Beach that this same trio will take the field against Colombia next week.