adminThe United States survived a late onslaught to beat Ecuador 2-1 and advance to the semi-finals of the Copa America for the first time since 1995 after a pulsating and sometime fractious match in Seattle on Thursday.
Clint Dempsey and Gyasi Zardes scored for the US either side of halftime and Michael Arroyo got one back for Ecuador in a game that saw one player from each side sent off and the Ecuador coach banished to the stands.
Ecuador came into the game more after Antonio Valencia and Jermaine Jones were shown red cards in the 51st minute but the hosts prevailed to set up a semi-final against either Argentina or Venezuela in Houston next Tuesday.
Dempsey, a striker who plays for local club Seattle Sounders, got the opener for the US after 21 minutes when he rose to head home a deft cross from Jones.
Zardes doubled the home side’s lead when he poked home from inches out after Dempsey had beaten the goalie but the goal roused Ecuador and they took control of the game.
Fixtures
Today: Peru v Colombia (02:00),
Tomorrow: Argentina v Venezuela (01:00), Mexico v Chile (04:00). — AFP.
Online Reporter
derick.khumalo