Photo by Joe Nicholson/USA Today Sports
It all happened very quickly, but both Ecuador and the U.S. Men’s National Team were reduced to 10 men in the blink of an eye in the second half of their Copa America Centenario quarterfinal on Thursday.
After seemingly winning a foul in the Ecuador half of the field, Antonio Valencia appeared to kick his foot out at U.S. midfielder Alejandro Bedoya, who conceded the free kick along the sideline. USMNT veteran Jermaine Jones then got involved in the play, and appeared to put his hands to the face of Michael Arroyo.
The Colorado Rapids midfielder was soon sent to the showers in the 52nd minute, while Valencia also received his marching orders simultaneously, despite some initial confusion.
Despite having a close view from the sidelines, U.S. head coach Jurgen Klinsmann wasn’t pleased with the Jones red card in the slightest.
“Unfortunately we lost Jermaine for the incident, which is an absolute joke, because it was right there and the fourth referee made the decision,” Klinsmann said following the 2-1 U.S. win. “Not the referee. The referee didn’t see it. He followed the advice off the fourth official out there and it’s a disgrace a decision like that.”
Jones will be missed for his tenacity and physicality in the U.S.’ defensive third, but the 34-year-old will also provide a gap in the team’s midfield because of his offensive output.
On Thursday, Jones played provider in Clint Dempsey’s opener against La Tricolor, while also adding a goal in the USMNT’s 4-0 rout against Costa Rica in the group stage.
On top of Jones’ red card and upcoming suspension for the team’s semifinals clash against either Argentina or Venezuela, the U.S. will be without fellow attackers Alejandro Bedoya and Bobby Wood after each player received their second consecutive yellow cards against Ecuador.
“We’re obviously going to be missing Ale Bedoya and Bobby [Wood] in the semifinals so it’s not easy but I think there’s a team that has so much desire to grind it out,” Klinsmann said.
The USMNT will have some good news though, as wing back DeAndre Yedlin will be eligible to return to the defense after sitting out Thursday’s match due to suspension.
