USMNT's most pressing questions vs. Ecuador

SEATTLE – Sometimes, it’s the game within the game that decides the outcome of a big match. Jurgen Klinsmann believes he knows where – and how – Thursday’s Copa America Centenario quarterfinal between his United States men’s national team and Ecuador will be won.

“It’s going to be an interesting matchup all over the field [with] one against ones,” the U.S. head coach said. “These one against ones all over the field will decide this game. So you’ve got to win your battle.”

Problem is, there’s one matchup where the Americans would be hard-pressed to come out on top. In fact, it’s such a worrying situation that Klinsmann would probably be happy just to finish even.

This Matchup of the Match is the biggest question for the USMNT as it looks to achieve Klinsmann’s tournament goal of reaching the semifinals. There are other pressing questions, too.

Who will start at right back against Jefferson Montero?

Montero has the attacking skills to be a menace by himself. The left-sided winger did exactly that for his Premier League club Swansea City in its 2015-16 season opener, running Chelsea right back Branislav Ivanovic ragged. He has been his marauding self in the Copa America, recording an assist in each of Ecuador’s last two games.

DeAndre Yedlin would’ve been a worthy opponent for Montero, but the right back won’t play due to a red-card suspension from his rapid-fire yellow cards in last Saturday’s 1-0 win over Paraguay. Michael Orozco took over for Yedlin in that final group game as the Americans fought to protect their lead with a man down, and the Tijuana defender figures to get the start as Yedlin’s replacement.

Orozco knows Montero’s moves, having played against the former Morelia man in Liga MX. It’d be wishful thinking to believe he or any other candidates (outside of switching left back Fabian Johnson to the right side) can minimize Montero’s presence in the attacking third, but it won’t be for lack of trying.

“If I get the chance, I’m going to give it my all,” Orozco said. “I’m a defender; I’m not a forward. People always have other things to say like why I don’t attack, why I don’t do this. But I’m a defender. That’s what I’m good at. If I go out there I’m going to defend Montero like any other forward. If I got to go all the way to the left side and defend, I’m going to do it. Because I want to win.”

Will the U.S. confidently go forward?

The last time the Americans played a big knockout-stage game was in the round of 16 at the 2014 World Cup against Belgium. Klinsmann’s biggest beef with his team that day was his players’ unwillingness to push up and take the game to the Belgians. The defensive posture in the 2-1 extra-time loss was reminiscent of the USMNT sides of previous manager Bob Bradley.

Six regulars from the U.S.’s current lineup started in that game against Belgium. Klinsmann says the experience and lessons gained from that muggy night in Salvador can only help against Ecuador.

“We have leaders that played two years ago in Brazil and made things happen,” the coach said. “Michael Bradley was an outstanding captain, Jermaine Jones was a warrior, Clint Dempsey hungry as always.”

“We absolutely can compete with these guys,” he added. “It’s down to the momentum. Hopefully, we peak at the right time.”

Who will take penalties in the event of a shootout?

The Copa America is unique in that it doesn’t do extra time. Any knockout-stage game that remains tied after 90 minutes goes straight to a penalty shootout.

If you’re wondering when the U.S. last took part in a shootout, it was just last year in the Gold Cup third-place game against Panama. Aron Johansson and Clint Dempsey made the first two spot kicks, but Fabian Johnson, Bradley and DaMarcus Beasley missed the next three as the Panamanians won 3-2.

Brad Guzan, the newly anointed No. 1 goalkeeper, has had shootout success in the past with his club Aston Villa. Seven years ago in the Carling Cup, he made three saves against Sunderland to help Villa reach the quarterfinals.

“Do you want to want to win after 90 minutes? Of course,” Guzan said. “That’s obviously our first and foremost goal.”

“You work on penalties – the outfield players work on taking penalties and obviously we’re in the goal for those,” he added. “It’s one of those situations that we will be prepared for.”