The Copa America is almost here, and the clubs playing in the special centenary tournament are playing their last tuneup friendlies before taking the big stage for real stakes. Such is the case as the United States get set to host Ecuador. Both sides are looking at this match as one of great importance to their preparations.
USA vs. Ecuador 2016: Time, TV schedule and team news for USMNT’s friendly match
This is a major test of the USMNT’s preparedness heading into the Copa America Centenario.
Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
While this is not the last tuneup match for either team -- the USMNT will face Bolivia this weekend, while Ecuador will face MLS side LA Galaxy -- this is probably the most important match for both teams. For the United States, Ecuador’s style of rapid-fire counter attacks exemplifies the one that they struggle against the most. For Ecuador, the USMNT are the best national side they face during their final preparations. That importance means it’s likely that neither side treats this match like a friendly -- it’s going to be an intense battle, with both the USMNT and Ecuador looking to beat the other to prove just how good they can be going into the Copa America Centenario.
What to watch for
This is the USMNT’s first match with their full Copa America squad -- with the exception of Timmy Chandler, who only just arrived in camp following his club’s last match on Monday -- so seeing how these players work together on the pitch will bear close monitoring. While that’s important for the USMNT all over the field, nowhere will it be more important than in their attack.
With no Jozy Altidore thanks to injury and Jordan Morris left at home for reasons unknown, Jurgen Klinsmann needs to figure out his most effective attacking group, and he needs to do it quickly. Said group will almost certainly revolve around Clint Dempsey, but who joins him in the final third and in what shape and style they play is a mystery. Will they play with two strikers up top? One plus two wide forwards? What will Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes be asked to do? The USMNT has a lot of questions up top, and this match will be a good opportunity to start getting some answers.
Ecuador keep trying to prove that they can take a competitive step forward against the better teams in North and South America, but when they get onto the stage of a big tournament, they keep falling short. That said, they might just have the best squad they’ve ever brought to a tournament assembled right now, with plenty of high-quality, in-form talent available to them.
They still have to prove that they can play well against top-level competition, and the United States will be a good test to see just how ready they are for the Copa America. Win or lose, if they play well and look good against one of the better teams in the tournament, it will be a big boost to their confidence and morale heading into the Copa. With that in hand and a little bit of luck, Ecuador can make a lot of noise -- but they have to put in that good performance in this match first.
Match Date/Time: Wednesday, 8 p.m. ET, 7 p.m. local
Venue: Toyota Stadium, Frisco, Texas
TV: ESPN2 (U.S. - English), UniMas, Univision Deportes (U.S. - Spanish), ESPN3 South America (Ecuador)
Online: Watch ESPN, Univision Deportes, fuboTV (U.S.), ESPNPlay Latin America (Ecuador)
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