Ecuador handed the US their third loss in four games, winning 1-0 in a friendly with a goal in the 79th minute by Jaime Ayovi on Tuesday at the Red Bull Arena.
It marked the third time in five matches the US team had failed to score under new head coach Jurgen Klinsmann, who took over from Bob Bradley in July.
Walter Ayovi set up the goal with a cross from the left wing, which Jaime Ayovi headed past US goalkeeper Tim Howard from the middle of the penalty area.
Photo: Reuters
“It’s going to take time,” Howard said of the start made under Klinsmann. “People are going to ask questions and that’s natural, but it’s still in the infant stages.”
Ecuador opened their 2014 World Cup qualifying campaign on Friday with a 2-0 home victory over Venezuela. Jaime Ayovi scored in that game as well. He entered Tuesday’s game as a substitute in the second half.
Jozy Altidore had one of the US’ best opportunities to score in the opening minute of the game.
The US beat Honduras 1-0 for their first win under Klinsmann on Saturday.
Once again the US must have felt like they were playing on the road instead of at home as the crowd of 20,707 was decidedly pro-Ecuador.
The US are now winless in their last 13 games against South American teams, dating back to a win over Ecuador four years ago.
Since drawing with Mexico, the US have lost to Costa Rica, Belgium and Ecuador, and beat Honduras since former German national team star and coach Klinsmann took over.
The US made just one change from Saturday’s win, putting Oguchi Onyewu in at defense in place of Michael Orozco Fiscal.
Ecuador used just five of the starters who began Friday’s game in Quito.
MEXICO 1, BRAZIL 2
Reuters, MEXICO CITY
Goals by Ronaldinho and Marcelo in the last 11 minutes gave 10-man Brazil a victory over Mexico in a friendly in the northern city of Torreon on Tuesday.
Brazil defender Daniel Alves was sent off just before halftime after his foul on Javier Hernandez in the box earned him a second yellow card.
However, Mexico failed to add to their early lead after an own-goal by defender David Luiz, with Jefferson saving Andres Guardado’s penalty.
Ronaldinho equalized when he found the top corner with a shot in the 79th minute and defender Marcelo hit the winner five minutes later after a one-two with Neymar.
It was Mexico’s first defeat in 15 matches under coach Jose Manuel de la Torre, though their under-23 side lost three matches at the Copa America in July under assistant coach Luis Fernando Tena.
There was a massive police presence at the international friendly match after a shooting incident outside the ground at a league match in August.
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