SEATTLE (AP) — Clint Dempsey scored for the third straight game on a first-half header and set up Gyasi Zardes for a tap-in goal midway through the second half, boosting the United States into the Copa America semifinals with a 2-1 win over Ecuador on Thursday night.
Playing before a boisterous and almost completely partisan home crowd in the soccer-mad Pacific Northwest, the U.S. won a knockout game against a nation outside its region for only the second time and will play Argentina or Venezuela on Tuesday in Houston.
American midfielder Jermaine Jones and Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia were both ejected early in the second half. Jones will be suspended for the semifinal along with U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya and Bobby Wood, who both got their second yellow cards of the tournament.
Confused by the double red card? Here's another look at how Valencia and Jones were sent off. #USAvECU #MyCopaColors https://t.co/EhMsAfRCsV
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2016
Dempsey’s 52nd international goal, five behind Landon Donovan’s American record, put the U.S. ahead in the 22nd minute and Zardes guided Dempsey’s cross into the net in the 65th for a 2-0 lead.
Clint Dempsey scores his 3rd goal at #CopaAmerica Centenario to put the #USMNT ahead. #USAvECU #MyCopaColors https://t.co/DtNKqz8iLE
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2016
Michael Arroyo scored for Ecuador in the 74th minute and Enner Valencia missed a pair of great chances moment later on a pair of headers.
It's not over yet! Michael Arroyo's finish cuts the #USMNT's lead in half. #USAvECU #MyCopaColors https://t.co/oP8SoWhhNq
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) June 17, 2016
| Ecuador | 0 | 1—1 |
|---|---|---|
| United States | 1 | 1—2 |
First half_1, United States, Clint Dempsey (Jermaine Jones), 22nd minute.
Second half_2, United States, Gyasi Zardes (Clint Dempsey), 65th; 3, Ecuador, Michael Arroyo (Walter Ayovi), 74th.
Yellow cards_Antonio Valencia, Ecuador, 37th; Antonio Valencia, Ecuador, 52nd; Bobby Wood, United States, 53rd; Juan Carlos Paredes, Ecuador, 64th; Alejandro Bedoya, United States, 73rd; Brad Guzan, United States, 84th.
Red cards_Jermaine Jones, United States, 52nd; Antonio Valencia, Ecuador, 52nd.
Referee_Wilmar Roldan, Colombia. Linesmen_Alexander Guzman, Colombia; Wilmar Navarro, Colombia. Fourth Official_Wilton Pereira Sampaio, Brazil. Reserve Linesman_Juan Montano, Bolivia.
A_47,322.
| Lineups |
|---|
Ecuador_Alexander Dominguez, Juan Carlos Paredes (Jaime Ayovi, 82nd), Arturo Mina, Frickson Erazo, Walter Ayovi, Christian Noboa (Fernando Gaibor, 62nd), Carlos Gruezo (Cristian Ramirez, 72nd), Antonio Valencia, Michael Arroyo, Jefferson Montero, Enner Valencia.
United States_Brad Guzan, Matt Besler, Geoff Cameron, John Brooks, Fabian Johnson, Gyasi Zardes (Steve Birnbaum, 94th), Michael Bradley, Jermaine Jones, Alejandro Bedoya (Graham Zusi, 81st), Clint Dempsey (Kyle Beckerman, 74th), Bobby Wood.
Copyright 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.