The United States Men's Soccer Team (USMNT) take on Ecuador in the first Copa America 2016 quarterfinal match on Thursday in Seattle. While the hosts topped Group A of the Copa America Centenario ahead of Colombia, Ecuador came second from Group B behind Peru.
Jurgen Klinsmann's side, following a defeat against Colombia in their opening game, displayed good fight back to defeat Costa Rica and Paraguay in their following two games and the momentum is expected to be rightly behind them. The most experienced player of the team, Clint Dempsey, who scored two goals in two games, has also got his form back right at the crucial juncture of the tournament.
"I think it's important that you stick to your beliefs and what you want to build," Klinsmann said at Wednesday's press conference, as quoted by ESPN FC. "Obviously you adjust to certain moments in the game. If it requires we drop a second you can do that too. We can hit them [Ecuador] with counter breaks.
"In general our back line is doing a good job so far and going eye to eye with [teams]. We tell them tomorrow, be courageous, go at them. It's a 90 minute battle."
USA may not have conceded any goal in their last two games but they have to be aware of the attacking strength of their opponents, who have the likes of Enner Valencia, Miler Bolanos and Antonio Valencia.
"There is an adrenaline [going into the game]. We are not afraid," said Ecuador coach Gustavo Quinteros ahead of the game, as quoted by Metro Ecuador. "It's [Adrenaline's] something you feel in the locker room and on the pitch. We have a whole country behind."
"The team who is more focused and makes the fewest mistakes is going to be the one who will have more chances to win the match, although experience is also important," he added.
Where to watch live
Copa America 2016 quarterfinals: USA vs Ecuador is scheduled for a 9:30 p.m. ET (7 a.m. IST, 2:30 a.m. BST) start on June 16, 2016.
BROADCAST OPTIONS
India: Sony ESPN, Sony ESPN HD.
United Kingdom: Premier Sports.
United States of America: Fox Sports 1, Fubo TV.
Ecuador: DirecTV Sports Ecuador, Gamavision.
LIVE STREAMS
India: Sony Liv.
US: Fox Sports Go.
Ecuador: DirecTV Play Deportes.
UK: None.
