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Copa America Quarterfinal: USA triumphs over Ecuador 2-1 to advance to semifinal round

A definitively pro-USA crowd gave the Yanks a necessary edge at Century Link Field in Seattle

SEATTLE, Wash. -- The U.S. men's national team took an early lead in the first half, survived the sending off of Jermaine Jones in the second half, then doubled their advantage soon after to earn a deserved 2-1 victory over Ecuador in the quarterfinal round of the Copa America Centenario.

Clint Dempsey, playing in the same stadium that hosts his club team the Seattle Sounders, thrilled the pro-USA crowd with a perfect headed goal in the 22nd minute. And following red card ejections to Jones and Ecuador's Luis Valencia in the 52nd minute, Gyassi Zardes tapped home a second goal in the 65th minute.