The USMNT said goodbye to Landon Donovan as a player on Friday night in an international friendly against Ecuador. Donovan started and played almost 40 minutes in the 1-1 draw at Rentschler Stadium in East Hartford, Connecticut. Donovan was honored before the game by both the US Soccer Federation and the Ecuador Federation.
Mix Diskerud opened the scoring in the 5th minute with DeAndre Yedlin assisting. The USMNT dominated possession early, seeing several good chances. Ecuador eventually responded after a second-half substitution, but had trouble coming up with an equalizer. After several chances, Enner Valencia found the back of the net with a dipping shot in the 88th minute. The USMNT had a good chance at a winner in stoppage time but were unable to score.
Jurgen Klinsmann used all six of his substitutions, including an unplanned early sub. Bobby Wood came on for Joe Gyau in the 22nd minute. Gyau left with a knee injury. Donovan subbed out in the 41st minute for Joe Corona. Earlier in the week, Klinsmann announced that Donovan would play for 30 minutes. Donovan passed the captain’s armband to Jozy Altidore. When Altidore subbed out in the 76th minute, he passed the armband to the player who replaced him Chris Wondolowski.
The USMNT now travels to Florida to play Honduras on Tuesday at Florida Atlantic University Stadium. Honduras lost 2-0 to Mexico in Chiapas on Thursday.
— GAME REPORT —
Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Ecuador
Date: October 10, 2014
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Rentschler Field; East Hartford, Conn.
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Attendance: 36,265
Weather: 54 degrees, clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 1 0 1
ECU 0 1 1
USA – Mix Diskerud (DeAndre Yedlin) 5th minute
ECU – Enner Valencia (Cristhian Noboa) 88
Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan; 21-Timmy Chandler, 4-Michael Orozco (3-Omar Gonzalez, 62), 6-John Brooks (5-Tim Ream, 62), 14-Greg Garza; 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 11-Alejandro Bedoya (19-Alfredo Morales, 62), 8-Mix Diskerud, 7-Joe Gyau (23-Bobby Wood, 22); 10-Landon Donovan (capt.) (15-Joe Corona, 41), 17-Jozy Altidore (18-Chris Wondolowski, 76)
Subs Not Used : 9-Miguel Ibarra, 20-Luis Gil, 22-Nick Rimando
Head coach: Jurgen Klinsmann
ECU: 1-Maximo Banguera; 4-Juan Carlos Paredes (16-Mario Pineida, 90+3), 20-Luis Canga, 3-Frickson Erazo (19-Luis Fernando Leon, 86), 10-Walter Ayovi (capt.); 6-Cristhian Noboa, 14-Segundo Castillo (8-Carlos Gruezo, 86), 5-Renato Ibarra (18-Jonathan Gonzalez, 44), 11-Juan Cazares (17-Junior Sornoza, 85), 9-Cristian Penilla (7-Joao Plata, 46), 13-Enner Valencia
Subs Not Used: 2-Arturo Mina, 12-Hamilton Piedra, 15-Cristian Ramirez, 21-Johnny Uchuari, 22-Alexander Dominguez
Head Coach: Sixto Vizuete Toapanta
Stats Summary: USA / ECU
Shots: 11 / 17
Shots on Goal: 4 / 7
Saves: 6 / 3
Corner Kicks: 2 / 5
Fouls: 10 / 9
Offside: 0 / 4
Misconduct Summary:
USA – Michael Orozco (caution) 32nd minute
ECU – Frickson Erazo (caution) 54
USA – Joe Corona (caution) 61
Officials:
Referee: Roberto Moreno (PAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Daniel Williamson (PAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Keyzell Corrales (NCA)
4th Official: Ricardo Cerdas (CRC)
