United States defeats Ecuador in tight match in Orlando
The United States continued their winning run under new Head Coach Gregg Berhalter as they defeated Ecuador 1-0 at Orlando City Stadium on Thursday evening.
In front of 17,442 fans, a Gyasi Zardes (pictured above) deflected shot in the 81st minute settled a game that produced few opportunities. After wins against Panama and Costa Rica, the US were keen to make a positive start and did that as Christian Pulisic, Paul Arriola and Zardes combined well to threaten the visitors defence.
Some lovely interchange play between Zardes and Pulisic set up Arriola (pictured above) midway through the first half with a one-on-one chance just outside the six-yard box. The DC United winger fired his shot goalward but Dominguez Alexander in the Ecuador goal produced a fine save with his outstretched leg to thwart the Americans. Arriola did manage to put the ball in the net a few minutes later but the goal was ruled out of for offside as Jordan Morris had strayed.
The second half saw both teams cancel each other out and with just two shots on target all game from the United States and none for Ecuador, the enthusiastic crowd were looking for something to cheer. It came when Zardes found space 30 yards from goal and charged towards the penalty box before unleashing a shot from outside the “D” that skyrocketed into the air off the foot of Ecuador’s Robert Arboleda. The ball’s flight path arced toward Ecuador’s goal, clipped the crossbar on its descent and dropped over the line behind Dominguez to give the United States the lead.
With the win, Berhalter joins Bob Bradley as just the second US Head Coach to win each of his first three games.
The USA will now play Chile in Houston on Tuesday to complete its camp–the final one before pre-Gold Cup training.
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sean Johnson; 14-Tyler Adams, 23-Aaron Long, 5-John Brooks, 13-Tim Ream; 6-Wil Trapp (4-Michael Bradley, 59′), 8-Weston McKennie (15-Cristian Roldan, 68), 10-Christian Pulisic (17-Sebastian Lletget, 62); 11-Jordan Morris (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 68), 9-Gyasi Zardes, 7-Paul Arriola (18-Jonathan Lewis, 77)
Substitutes not used: 22-Ethan Horvath, 16-Daniel Lovitz, 19-Matt Miazga, 20-Corey Baird
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
ECU: 22-Alexander Domínguez; 4-Juan Carlos Paredes, 21-Gabriel Achiller (capt.), 3-Robert Arboleda, 13-Beder Caicedo; 8-Carlos Gruezo, 20-Jhegson Méndez, 18-Jefferson Orejuela, 16-Antonio Valencia, 5-Renato Ibarra (9-Leonardo Campana, 46); 7-Romario Ibarra (19-Jhohan Jullo, 71)
Substitutes not used: 1-Maximo Banguera, 12-Pedro Ortiz, 2-Cristian Ramirez, 6-Cristhian Noboa, 10-Ángel Mena, 14-Xavier Arreaga, 15-Jefferson Intriago, 17-Ángelo Preciado, 23- Jackson Porozo
Head coach: Hernan Dario Gomez
Attendance : 17,422
More photos at FloridaLeisurePhotography.com
