A mixed performance by the United States appeared as though it wouldn't be enough to take down a strong-looking Ecuador side, but a late goal from Darlington Nagbe saved the day. The 1-0 win was hard-fought and well-earned for the USMNT, and will leave Ecuador searching for answers as both teams prepare for the Copa America in June.
3 things we learned from the USMNT’s 1-0 win over Ecuador
A strong second-half performance from America’s young attackers saved the day after a poor start to the match.
Tom Pennington/Getty Images
The start of the match was not an inspiring one for the USMNT, with Ecuador using their speed to open up a number of early opportunities against a shaky defense. The right side seemed especially problematic -- while DeAndre Yedlin performed fine, he got no help on the wing from Graham Zusi, and Steve Birnbaum was nervous and uncertain in the middle as Ecuador pushed his way time and again.
Unfortunately, once things got stabilized and the Americans were able to blunt the Ecuadorian onslaught, they couldn't get much of anything going getting forward. Gyasi Zardes and Zusi struggled in possession out wide, and Michael Bradley had a hard time linking play with his teammates in the final third when he tried to push the ball forward. With Clint Dempsey being easily marked out of the game by Ecuador's central defense, that left the U.S. hapless going forward.
Some adjustments at halftime helped the USMNT to improve their attack somewhat, with substitute Bobby Wood in particular impressing. His work rate and willingness to drive hard to exploit openings in Ecuador’s defense created opportunities for the U.S. attack that they hadn’t gotten in the first half.
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That led Jurgen Klinsmann to sub in teenage sensation Christian Pulisic for the struggling Dempsey, with Wood sliding inside to take Dempsey’s place up top. Pulisic’s audacious skills coupled with Wood’s drive helped give the USMNT their best chances of the match, and their attack looked better with the two young players leading it than it has in really quite a long time.
It looked like the U.S. wouldn't be able to break Ecuador down, but a scrappy bit of play in front of the visitors' goal just before stoppage time turned what looked like another wasted chance into an excellent goal from Darlington Nagbe. The Portland Timbers attacking midfielder had impressed ever since coming on with Wood at halftime, and just when the USMNT needed him most, he popped up with a crucial winner.
The result is an excellent one for the United States, felling the No. 12 team in the world, and one that’s better than the sum of its parts. This will be a big boost to their confidence heading into Saturday’s friendly against Bolivia, and another win there should give the USMNT a huge surge of hope and energy heading into the Copa America.
United States: Brad Guzan; DeAndre Yedlin, Steve Birnbaum, John Brooks (Matt Besler 77'), Fabian Johnson; Jermaine Jones (Alejandro Bedoya 63'), Kyle Beckerman (Darlington Nagbe 46'), Michael Bradley; Graham Zusi (Michael Orozco 87'), Clint Dempsey (Christian Pulisic 63'), Gyasi Zardes (Bobby Wood 46')
Goal: Nagbe (90’)
Ecuador: Alexander Domínguez (Esteban Dreer 46'); Juan Carlos Paredes, Gabriel Achilier (Robert Arboleda 73'), Frickson Erazo, Cristian Ramírez; Jefferson Montero (Michael Arroyo 64'), Christian Noboa (Fernando Gaibor 68'), Carlos Gruezo (Pedro Larrea 60'), Angel Mena; Miller Bolaños (Juan Cazares 68'), Enner Valencia
Goals: None
Three things we learned
1. The German-Americans led the way
The contingent of German-born players in the United States player pool has drawn significant scorn from certain circles, seen as unnecessary or worse, as something that’s holding back the national team.
Yet it was Jermaine Jones, Fabian Johnson, and John Brooks who were leading the way for the USMNT Wednesday, keeping things together even in the lowest moments of the first half when Ecuador were largely running rampant. Without the German-American contingent in this team, the USMNT could very well have been routed early in this match and never had a chance to come back.
2. Zardes & Zusi should never start together
Starting one player out wide in attack who has the first touch of a one-legged drunkard can be dealt with and even work out depending on what he gives you going forward. Starting two such players is a good way to lose matches, especially when you’re not starting a natural hold-up forward up top like the USMNT were forced to do against Ecuador.
Gyasi Zardes and Graham Zusi are players with plenty of qualities in their favor, but both have an absolutely brutal first touch. Starting them together made the U.S. struggle to find an effective outlet on the counter attacks they were often forced to rely on, with both players turning the ball right away too often. It should be no surprise, then, that as soon as Bobby Wood and his much better touch came on for Zardes, the USMNT attack was much improved.
Especially with Clint Dempsey starting up top, they simply can’t afford to carry both Zardes and Zusi considering how they hamper the attack with their technique, so Jurgen Klinsmann needs to find another solution out wide.
3. The kids saved the attack
Bobby Wood, Darlington Nagbe, and Christian Pulisic may not be considered starters for the USMNT by many fans, but maybe Jurgen Klinsmann should consider it. That trio did more in the second half to help break down Ecuador than the starting attacking group did, and their effort and skill helped keep the pressure on to create Nagbe’s winning goal late in the match.
Maybe they won’t be allowed to be 90-minute players for the U.S. in the Copa America, but if they keep up the quality they showed against a very good Ecuador side, there’s no reason to think they can’t make a profound impact as 60-minute starters or impact subs in the tournament. The USMNT attack may not be an inspiring powerhouse, but it’s much better off with that young trio than it is without them.
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