Ecuador played their first of two pre World Cup friendlies today as they faced off against Saudi Arabia at Sports Illustrated Stadium in Harrison, New Jersey. In a predominantly Ecuadorian crowd, La Tri rolled their way to a comfortable victory against an organized Saudi Arabia team.
La Tri had some growing pains to start this match off as they struggled to maintain possession in the opening minutes. Ecuador opened the scoring in the 35th minute with a Jackson Porozo header. From a set piece, John Yeboah delivered a great cross that the Club Tijuana defender finished. Yeboah was the standout player for La Tri through the first 45 minutes and put together a performance that head coach Sebastián Beccacece will not be able to ignore.
Anthony Valencia, who shifted to a more advanced position in the second half, doubled the lead for Ecuador in the 51st minute. Once again, it was Yeboah who created the magic as he provided his second assist of the match. Beccacece made many changes throughout the second half, and Ecuador’s overall play slowed as the game advanced. Saudi Arabia managed to grab a goal back in the final minutes, but it was too little, too late for the Green One.
Sebastián Beccacece will officially announce Ecuador’s World Cup squad on Monday, June 1.
Ecuador closes their pre World Cup campaign on Sunday vs. Guatemala in Columbus, Ohio. La Tri’s opening World Cup game is one week later vs. Ivory Coast at Lincoln Financial Field in Philadelphia.
For more content like this, check out our English page.
