The US prevailed in the first quarterfinal match by beating Ecuador 2-1. In the 22nd minute, the US got on the scoreboard when Bobby Wood passed back to Jermaine Jones, who crossed it into the box to see Clint Dempsey score on a wonderfully placed header. Dempsey managed to get over his defender and his header went easily past keeper Alexander Dominguez. In the 37th minute, the game started to become chippy. Antonio Valencia kicked US defender John Brooks in the chest, earning himself a yellow. Then, in the 52nd, Valencia kicked out Alejandro Bedoya's legs from behind, earning himself a second yellow and red. But, the US had to pay its consequences. A scuffle immediately happened, and Jones, who put his hand on Michael Arroyo's face, got a straight red. Jones, along with Wood and Bedoya's 2nd yellows of the tourney, are out next game. In the 65th, Gyasi Zardes scored after heading a cross to Dempsey, whose close range shot got tapped in by Zardes. The score made the US have a bit more leeway in the game. Ecuador would get one back in the 74th when Arroyo got a low cross and blasted it one time past US keeper Brad Guzan. Guzan preserved the US lead in the 45th from a nice kick save, but had no chance saving Arroyo's. Enner Valencia had the best chances for Ecuador's equalizer 3 and 4 minutes later, albeit those shots weren't on goal. Brooks almost scored an own goal in injury time, however, Guzan saved the day with another save.
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