US will have depth of roster tested in Copa America semis

United States’ Gyasi Zardes, center, is congratulated by Clint Dempsey, 8, after scoring his side’s second goal against Ecuador during a Copa America Centenario quarterfinal soccer match, Thursday, June 16, 2016 at CenturyLink Field in Seattle. Jones was red carded in the 52nd minute after a confrontation with Ecuador’s Antonio Valencia, who was also sent off after receiving his second yellow card of the match on a hard tackle into Alejandro Bedoya. Dempsey’s 52nd global goal, five behind Landon Donovan’s American record, put the usa ahead in the 22nd minute.

The USA survived a late onslaught by Ecuador as the hosts held on to win 2-1 and progressed to the semi-finals of the Copa America 2016.

He was the man who laid on the second for Gyasi Zardes in the 65th minute, after the forward won a header in the box and Dempsey fired it back to him at the far post. But Michael Arroyo scored in the 74th minute, and Ecuador seized the initiative and pressed for the tying goal that never came.

The specific questions Jurgen Klinsmann and the USA coaching staff are going to have to answer are who is going to replace Bobby Wood (suspended on yellow card accumulation), Angel Bedoya (suspended on yellow card accumulation), and Jermaine Jones (suspended for Red Card in Ecuador game).

The U.S. will face the victor of Saturday’s quarterfinal between Argentina and Venezuela in Houston on Tuesday. Klinsmann moved Fabian Johnson from left- to right-fullback (in Yedlin’s place).

“I was right there, and the fourth referee made that decision, not the referee”.

Dempsey scored the first goal of the match in the 22nd minute.

Arroyo went down the other side and had a capable shot starting late miss the objective, yet it was the US that emerged in the 22nd minute of the game.

The U.S. will play the victor of Argentina/Venezuela which takes place on Saturday night.

Dempsey reached the out swinging service and sent a powerful header beyond goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez from about nine yards.

“They are understanding what the next level is all about”, U.S. manager Jurgen Klinsmann said. “It’s that striker mentality”. His ability to keep control of the ball as defenders closed led to both American goals against Ecuador.

A free-kick variation from Walter Ayovi set up Arroyo, who blasted home with a vicious shot from outside the area to give Ecuador a glimmer of hope to turn things around. “We’re looking to go all the way. We were unlucky not to score more”.

“It was a bit insane in the second half”, said goalkeeper Brad Guzan, his voice hoarse after 90 minutes spent screaming encouragement at his back line. “We’re trying to get to the final”.