Had the United States surrendered the initiative to Ecuador? It was the initial thought after seeing that Jurgen Klinsmann had switched his formation from a 4-3-3 to a 4-4-2. How much of an effect would this have on the team's central attacking idea -- that of Clint Dempsey operating as a false nine in between quick strikers Bobby Wood and Gyasi Zardes in wide spaces?
It could have ended differently. The USA's 2-1 victory was a close run thing. Come the end it would have been impossible for the neutral to begrudge the Ecuadorians an equaliser. But Klinsmann's switch was vindicated.