The USMNT started the March 2019 international window with a 1-0 shutout of Ecuador at Orlando City Stadium. A deflected Gyasi Zardes shot in the 81st minute was the game's only goal. Sean Johnson kept the clean sheet.
Coach Gregg Berhalter's tactics and personnel decisions showed throughout the first-half. The USMNT played with composure on the ball, winning corners and pressuring the Ecuador defense. The best chance of the half came in the 30th minute when the USMNT sent the ball across the frame of goal. Ecuador had opportunities on the counter, absorbing the USMNT pressure. The second-half featured more of the same with the USMNT creating the bulk of the opportunities in the attacking third.
It felt great to get an opportunity to get another goal for the US Men's National Team," Zardes told ESPN2. "I thought the team played extremely well due to the short amount of time we had to prepare for this match. I thought we did a phenomenal job today."
The March window ends for the USMNT on Tuesday in Houston against Chile (8pm ET - ESPN2).
-- GAME REPORT --
Match: U.S. Men's National Team vs. Ecuador
Date: March 21, 2019
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Orlando City Stadium; Orlando, Fla.
Attendance: 17,422
Kickoff: 8 p.m. ET
Weather: 66 degrees; clear
Scoring Summary: 1 2 F
USA 0 1 1
ECU 0 0 0
USA - Gyasi Zardes (Tim Ream) 81st minute
Lineups:
USA: 1-Sean Johnson; 14-Tyler Adams, 23-Aaron Long, 5-John Brooks, 13-Tim Ream; 6-Wil Trapp (4-Michael Bradley, 59'), 8-Weston McKennie (15-Cristian Roldan, 68), 10-Christian Pulisic (17-Sebastian Lletget, 62); 11-Jordan Morris (2-DeAndre Yedlin, 68), 9-Gyasi Zardes, 7-Paul Arriola (18-Jonathan Lewis, 77)
Substitutes not used: 22-Ethan Horvath, 16-Daniel Lovitz, 19-Matt Miazga, 20-Corey Baird
Head coach: Gregg Berhalter
ECU: 22-Alexander Domínguez; 4-Juan Carlos Paredes, 21-Gabriel Achiller (capt.), 3-Robert Arboleda, 13-Beder Caicedo; 8-Carlos Gruezo, 20-Jhegson Méndez, 18-Jefferson Orejuela, 16-Antonio Valencia, 5-Renato Ibarra (9-Leonardo Campana, 46); 7-Romario Ibarra (19-Jhohan Jullo, 71)
Substitutes not used: 1-Maximo Banguera, 12-Pedro Ortiz, 2-Cristian Ramirez, 6-Cristhian Noboa, 10-Ángel Mena, 14-Xavier Arreaga, 15-Jefferson Intriago, 17-Ángelo Preciado, 23- Jackson Porozo
Head coach: Hernan Dario Gomez
Stats Summary: USA / ECU
Shots: 5 / 1
Shots on Goal: 2 / 0
Saves: 0 / 1
Corner Kicks: 6 / 1
Fouls: 7 / 4
Offside: 1 / 1
Misconduct Summary:
USA - Paul Arriola (caution) 56th minute
ECU - Jhohan Jullo (caution) 90+3
Officials:
Referee: David Gantar (CAN)
Assistant Referee 1: Philippe Briere (CAN)
Assistant Referee 2: Michael Barwegen (CAN)
4th Official: Adonai Escobedo (MEX)
Photo by ISIPhotos.com
