US enters Copa America semi-finals after 21 years

Coach Jurgen Klinsmann and his team won a place in the semi-finals after defeating Ecuador 2-1 in the first quarter-final match on the morning of June 17.

Dempsey continues to score important goals for the US team. Photo:Reuters

Goals: Dempsey 22', Zardes 65' - Arroyo 74'

With a goal and an assist, 33-year-old forward Clint Dempsey became the hero for the US team in the first quarter-final match. The US led 2-0 until the last 20 minutes, continuing their dream of conquering the title on home soil.

Meanwhile, Ecuador’s attacking efforts in the second half were not enough to equalize. The team only managed a consolation goal through Michael Arroyo, thereby accepting the elimination right at the threshold of history. The last time Ecuador reached the semi-finals of the Copa America was in 1993, after which they were eliminated twice in the quarter-finals and seven times in the group stage.

The win, on the other hand, sent the United States, a team from outside South America, into the semifinals for the second time in their history. They first participated in the Copa America in 1993 and made their first semifinal appearance just two years later.

In the next round, the US will meet the winner of the Argentina - Venezuela match. Coach Klinsmann and his team will have the advantage of having two more days off.

Worthy of the excitement of the Copa America, the first quarter-final match took place with many thrilling situations. The two teams only spent the first 15 minutes probing before boldly attacking each other's goal. In this match, the US proved to be luckier with an experienced striker like Dempsey and home field advantage. When the match had just entered the 22nd minute, after a cross from Jermaine Jones, Dempsey opened the score with a clever header. Five minutes later, this striker almost doubled the gap if goalkeeper Alexander Dominguez had not reacted in time to save.

As expected of a team that has qualified for three of the last four World Cups, Ecuador responded strongly late in the first half. If goalkeeper Brad Guzan had not saved the US in stoppage time, the visitors could have equalized early through Arroyo. Early in the second half, Ecuador also missed a good opportunity: Antonio Valencia sent a high ball but Enner Valencia missed his header.

Ecuador (yellow) played resiliently, but were less fortunate than the home team. Photo: Reuters.

With the game still going strong, a clash on the pitch in the 52nd minute changed the dynamic. Ecuador lost a man first when Antonio Valencia received a second yellow card, then the US lost Jones for punching an opponent. The change proved to be more advantageous for the US, while Ecuador lacked a player to lead the game.

The final 30 minutes were the most exciting. After Zardes doubled the lead for the US, Ecuador reduced the score to 1-2 thanks to Arroyo's powerful shot from outside the box. Shortly after that, striker Enner Valencia deserved to be the culprit for Ecuador when he missed two consecutive chances to equalize.

Reaching the semi-finals for the first time in 21 years, the US is full of hope to make history on home soil. In the 100-year history of the Copa America, no team from outside South America has won the championship.

According to VNE