USMNT defeats Ecuador 1-0 on 90th minute goal by Nagbe

FRISCO, Texas (Via U.S. Soccer) – The U.S. Men’s National Team used Darlington Nagbe’s 90th minute strike and first international goal to earn a 1-0 victory against Ecuador in its second warm-up match ahead of the upcoming Copa America Centenario.

After a first half that lacked chances, the MNT controlled the run of play in the second half, as Jermaine Jones and Alejandro Bedoya both had opportunities to find the score sheet. Just as it looked like the game would end in a 0-0 deadlock, Nagbe finished headed pass from Bobby Wood in the penalty area to tally his first international goal and give the U.S. a 1-0 victory.

The MNT continues preparations for this summer’s Copa America Centenario on Sat., May 28 when it meets a second South American foe in Bolivia at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. The game kicks off at 7 p.m. CT and will be broadcast on FS1, UniMas and UDN.

Goal Scoring Rundown:
USA – Darlington Nagbe (Bobby Wood), 90th minute: DeAndre Yedlin did well to earn space on the right before seeing his initial cross headed up in the area by Ecuador’s Juan Carlos Paredes. Substitute forward Bobby Wood kept the second ball alive, winning an aerial battle to knock down for Nagbe who took the ball of his chest before finishing inside Esteban Dreer’s right post for the game’s lone goal. USA 1, ECU 0 [WATCH] FINAL

Key Saves and Defensive Stops:
USA – Brad Guzan, 7th minute: A headed clearance from Steve Birnbaum fell to Jefferson Montero on the left side of the area. The Ecuador attacker took the ball in stride before hitting a low blast that deflected off Birnbaum and towards the lower left post where Guzan got down with a big hand to turn the ball out for a corner kick.

USA – John Brooks, 14th minute: Catching the U.S. in transition, Miller Bolaños played a clever through ball for Enner Valencia into space, but John Brooks tracked the run before coming through with a well-timed tackle in the box to put the ball out for a corner kick.

ECU – Esteban Dreer, 59th minute: After receiving a through ball at the top of the box, Jermaine Jones hit a blinding effort that saw substitute ‘keeper Esteban Dreer receive his first test, standing tall behind the powerful shot.

Next on the Schedule: The MNT hosts Bolivia in its last international friendly before Copa America Centenario at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan. on Saturday, May 28 (7 p.m. CT; FS1, UniMas, UDN).

Milestone Watch:

• Clint Dempsey made his 123rd international appearance, tying him with DaMarcus Beasley for fifth on the MNT’s all-time caps list. He sits four back of Marcelo Balboa (127) for fourth place.
• Darlington Nagbe scored his first international goal, coming in his fifth international appearance.

Additional Notes:

• The win improves the MNT’s all-time record against Ecuador to 3-5-5.
• With the result, the MNT remains unbeaten in Frisco, Texas, holding a 2-0-2 all-time record at Toyota Stadium.
• Named the starting goalkeeper for the U.S. at Copa America Centenario, goalkeeper Brad Guzan earned his 14th career shutout and second of 2016.
• The USA has scored in the 89th minute or later in four of five matches this year with all four matches ending up in the win column: Steve Birnbaum vs. Iceland; Jozy Altidore vs. Canada and vs. Guatemala; Nagbe vs. Ecuador
• MNT head coach Jurgen Klinsmann started a back four consisting of DeAndre Yedlin at right back, Steve Birnbaum and John Brooks as the central pair and Fabian Johnson on the left.
• The midfield trio featured Jermaine Jones on the right, Kyle Beckerman in the holding central role and captain Michael Bradley on the left.
• Klinsmann deployed a three-man forward line that positioned Clint Dempsey as the central striker, with Graham Zusi and Gyasi Zardes deployed on the right and left, respectively.

– U.S. Men’s National Team Match Report –

Match: U.S. Men’s National Team vs. Ecuador
Date: May 25, 2016
Competition: International Friendly
Venue: Toyota Stadium; Frisco, Texas
Kickoff: 7 p.m. CT
Attendance: 9,893
Weather: 84 degrees, cloudy

Scoring Summary: 1   2   F
USA                        0   1   1
ECU                        0   0   0

USA – Darlington Nagbe (Bobby Wood)      90th minute

Lineups:
USA: 1-Brad Guzan; 2-DeAndre Yedlin, 3-Steve Birnbaum, 6-John Brooks (5-Matt Besler, 78), 23-Fabian Johnson; 15-Kyle Beckerman (10-Darlington Nagbe, 46), 19-Graham Zusi (14-Michael Orozco, 87), 13-Jermaine Jones (11-Alejandro Bedoya, 64), 4-Michael Bradley (capt.); 9-Gyasi Zardes (7-Bobby Wood, 46), 8-Clint Dempsey (17-Christian Pulisic, 63)
Subs not used: 12-Tim Howard, 22-William Yarbrough, 16-Perry Kitchen, 18-Chris Wondolowski, 20-Geoff Cameron, 21-Kellyn Acosta
Head Coach: Jurgen Klinsmann

ECU: 22-Alexander Domínguez (12-Esteban Dreer, 46); 4-Juan Carlos Paredes, 3-Frickson Erazo, 21-Gabriel Achilier (20-Robert Arboleda, 73), 5-Cristian Ramirez; 6-Christian Noboa (capt.) (8-Fernando Gaibor, 69), 18-Carlos Gruezo (15-Pedro Larrea, 59), 14-Angel Mena, 7-Jefferson Montero (11-Michael Arroyo, 64); 13-Enner Valencia, 23-Miller Bolaños (19-Juan Cazares, 68)
Subs not used: 1-Maximo Banguera, 9-Fidel Martinez, 17-Jaime Ayovi, 24-Mario Pineida
Head coach: Gustavo Quinteros

Stats Summary: USA / ECU
Shots: 5 / 3
Shots on Goal: 2 / 1
Saves: 1 / 1
Corner Kicks: 2 / 6
Fouls: 16 / 16
Offside: 0 / 2

Misconduct Summary:
ECU – Gabriel Achilier (caution)     22nd minute
USA – Jermaine Jones(caution)     26
ECU – Cristian Ramirez (caution)    35
ECU – Angel Mena (caution)           45

Officials:
Referee: Alfredo Penaloza (MEX)
Assistant Referee 1: Mario Lopez Carrillo (MEX)
Assistant Referee 2: Andres Hernandez (MEX)
4th Official: Oscar Macias (MEX)

Man of the Match: Darlington Nagbe