The U.S. National Soccer Team won a lackluster match versus Ecuador three weeks ago, but the teams played younger talents in the friendly.
The United States is a slight underdog versus Ecuador in its Copa America Quarterfinals match on Thursday evening. Despite what the sportsbooks say, Team USA believes they have a prime opportunity to advance and do something special in the 2016 Copa America tournament.
5Dimes has Ecuador favored slightly at +176, while the USA sits at +184. Both “Bet DSI” and “Just Bet” have Ecuador listed as +170 favorites, while America has a +176 moneyline bet. William Hill has the United States and Ecuador even at +170.
Paddy Power Favors the Americans
Of all the sportsbooks, only Paddy Power has the United States as a favorite, as they have 13:8 odds against Ecuador’s 7:4. Paddy Power and William Hill are the most prominent sportsbooks of those listed, but that does not necessarily mean their odds are more accurate, just because they have the USA rated better.
Those sportsbooks are likely to receive more casual or mainstream bettors. If so, then it is possible those odds account for the casual gamblers assuming the United States is going to win. It is interesting that 5Dimes, a famous unregulated sportsbook known to attract many American gamblers, provides the worst odds for Team USA.
5Dimes Betting Odds
That could mean one or two things. Either 5Dimes attract hardcore American gamblers, so they know better that Ecuador should be favored. Or perhaps 5Dimes chose to offer a sucker bet to lure in more American wagers on Team USA.
Whatever the case, Team Ecuador has had a more impressive Copa America tournament. Ecuador started play in Group B with a 0-0 tie with Brazil on June 4. That was followed by a 2-2 tie with Peru on June 8. On June 12, Ecuador finished off group play with a 4-0 victory over Haiti.
Brazil out of Copa America
Meanwhile, Brazil was losing to Peru on a “Hand of God” goal by Raul Ruidiaz, who put a ball in the net after Andy Polo crossed the ball in the 75th minute. The goal put Brazil out of the tournament, while leaving Brazilian coach, Dunga, out of a job. It also saved Team USA from facing Brazil in the quarterfinals.
Given the fact the Americans won’t have to face the Brazilians, it is going to be seen as a big disappointment if Team USA cannot advance to the Copa America Semifinals. Yet Jurgen Klinsmann says the team is not overlooking Ecuador.
The US National Coach said of Team Ecuador, “They have some special players in that side. It’s a good team.”
Ecaudor’s Talent and FIFA Rankings
That might be an understatement. In terms of English Premier League talent, Ecaudor wins the contest hands-down. The team features Antonio Valencia of Manchester United, Jefferson Montero of Swansea City, and Enner Valencia of West Ham.
Collectively, Ecuador is FIFA’s #13 ranked team at the moment. The Americans, who have struggled in qualifying for the 2018 World Cup, is FIFA’s #31 ranked team.
The Betting Underdog
Thus, when Team USA takes the pitch on Thursday night at 9:30 ETD at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, the team is going to face a stiff challenge. It will help to have the loud fan base of the Seattle Sounders in attendance. U.S. soccer fans (and gamblers) should not be surprised if Ecuador walks away with the victory. Though the odds are close, the Americans are the definite underdog.
U.S. National Soccer Team Defeats Ecuador
In an update, the U.S. National Soccer Team defeated Ecuador in the quarterfinals match. The game featured three goals and two ejections.
Clint Dempsey began the scoring in the 22nd minute with a header off a strike from Jermaine Jones. The game took a wild turn in the 53rd minute, when a pair of players were sent off the pitch. Antonio Valencia fouled Bedoya from behind, earning Valencia his second yellow card and an ejection. In the aftermath of that ejection, Jermaine Jones shoved Michael Arroyo and was red-carded for his action.
When the action continued, the teams played at 10-10, which opened up the action — and the scoring. Bobby Wood got a yellow card moments after the ejections, which means he’ll miss the next match.
Goals Later in the Match
Gyasi Zardes scored the US’s second goal in the 65th minute, after Besler headed a ball for Clint Dempsey and Dempsey crossed it for Zardes. It turned out the team needed the second score. Micheal Arroyo scored off a set-piece in the 74th minute to close the score to 2-1. In the waning minutes of the match, Enner Valencia missed a couple of opportunities to knot the score. Despite some scary moments playing with 10 players, the US reached its first-ever Copa America semifinals.
The team is going to be without several stalwarts. Due to yellow cards and ejections, Alejandro Bedoya, Jermaine Jones, and Bobby Wood will miss the semifinal. The US team won’t find out who it plays until Saturday night, when Argentina and Venezuela play in Foxborough, Massachusetts for the right to face the Americans.
