Dempsey Leads USA Past Ecuador, Into Copa America Semis

<p>Clint Dempsey had a goal and an assist to boost&nbsp;the United States into the Copa America semifinals with a 2-1 win over Ecuador on Thursday night.</p>

Friday, June 17th 2016, 11:26 am

By: News 9


Clint Dempsey scored for the third straight game on a first-half header and set up Gyasi Zardes for a tap-in goal midway through the second half, boosting the United States into the Copa America semifinals with a 2-1 win over Ecuador on Thursday night.

Playing before a boisterous and almost completely partisan home crowd in the soccer-mad Pacific Northwest, the U.S. won a knockout game against a nation outside its region for only the second time and will play Argentina or Venezuela on Tuesday in Houston.

American midfielder Jermaine Jones and Ecuador winger Antonio Valencia were both ejected early in the second half. Jones will be suspended for the semifinal along with U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya and Bobby Wood, who both got their second yellow cards of the tournament.

Dempsey's 52nd international goal, five behind Landon Donovan's American record, put the U.S. ahead in the 22nd minute and Zardes guided Dempsey's cross into the net in the 65th for a 2-0 lead.

Michael Arroyo scored for Ecuador in the 74th minute and Enner Valencia missed a pair of great chances moment later on a pair of headers.

logo

Get The Daily Update!

Be among the first to get breaking news, weather, and general news updates from News 9 delivered right to your inbox!

More Like This

June 17th, 2016

August 30th, 2024

August 29th, 2024

August 7th, 2024

Top Headlines

October 9th, 2024

October 9th, 2024

October 9th, 2024

October 9th, 2024