New England Soccer Today

Onto the Semifinals

Dempsey

The United States booked its ticket to the Copa America quarterfinals after staking a 2-1 semifinal win over Ecuador on Thursday at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, Wa.

Former Revolution midfielder Clint Dempsey opened the account in the 22nd minute before Gyasi Zardes doubled the U.S. advantage in the 65th minute. Michael Arroyo brought one back for Ecuador in the 74th minute.

Thursday’s semifinal ended 10 v 10 after former Revolution midfielder Jermaine Jones and Antonio Valencia were both sent off in the 52nd minute.

Attleboro, Mass. native Geoff Cameron went the full 90 at center back while Boston College alum Alejandro Bedoya went 81 minutes. Bedoya was cautioned in the 74th minute for kicking the ball into the stands out of frustration in the wake of his foul on Juan Carlos Paredes, which set up the Walter Ayoví free kick that led to Arroyo’s goal.

As a result of the discipline issued to Jones, Bedoya, and Bobby Wood in the 53rd minute, all three will miss the semifinal, which is set for Tuesday in Houston, Tx.

The U.S. will play the winner of Saturday’s semifinal between Argentina and Venezuela, which will take place at Gillette Stadium.

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