Match Preview: MNT vs. Ecuador – U.S. Soccer (press release) (registration) (blog)

The U.S. Men’s National Team continues its series of friendlies in preparation for the Copa America Centenario against Ecuador in Frisco, Texas on May 25 at Toyota Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. CT, and the match will be broadcast live on ESPN2, UniMas and Univision Deportes Network.

Following tonight’s match, the MNT will host Bolivia on May 28 at Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kansas (7 p.m. CT; FS1 and Univision networks) [TICKETS].

Here are some storylines to follow tonight:

MNT COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO ROSTER: This match marks the first time MLS players have joined the U.S. pre-Copa America Centenario camp. In total, 22 of 23 players are available for this match, with the exception of Ethan Horvath, who will join the team in San Jose, Calif. next week. Goalkeeper Zack Steffen, who is ineligible for the tournament, has remained with the team in his place. Despite not being available for the tournament, 20-year-old defender Kellyn Acosta has joined the team for this match alone.

RECENT FORM: The U.S. kicked off a trio of friendlies leading up to the Copa America Centenario with a 3-1 win against Puerto Rico on Sunday in the first meeting between the teams. Tim Ream and Paul Arriola – both of whom were dismissed following the match – scored their first international goals, in what marked the latter’s first cap. Bobby Wood also found the back of the net, good for his fifth career score while Brad Guzan and Tim Howard split time defending the U.S. goal.

USA vs. ECUADOR: The MNT is 2-5-5 in 12 all-time meetings against Ecuador dating back to 1984. The two sides last met in a 1-1 draw on Oct. 10, 2014, at Rentschler Field in East Hartford, Conn., which served as the farewell match for U.S. all-time leading goal scorer Landon Donovan. The last time the MNT defeated Ecuador was March 25, 2007, a 3-1 victory at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla.

GUZAN NABS NO. 1: Klinsmann has revealed that Brad Guzan will be the first-choice goalkeeper for the Copa America Centenario. Guzan boasts a 10-4-4 record in official competition for the United States, which includes matches in World Cup Qualifying, the FIFA Confederations Cup, the Gold Cup and Copa America.

WINGMEN: Earlier this week, Klinsmann announced DeAndre Yedlin and Fabian Johnson will be the starting right and left backs, respectively, for the Copa America Centenario.

ON USSOCCER.COM

• No. 1 in the Net: Guzan Named Starting U.S. ‘Keeper for Copa America
• Next Up: Five Things to Know About Ecuador
• USA Begins Copa America Centenario Preparations with 3-1 Win vs. Puerto Rico
• Klinsmann Names 23 Player Roster for Historic Copa America Centenario

U.S. ROSTER BY POSITION:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Brad Guzan (Aston Villa), Tim Howard (Colorado Rapids), Zack Steffen (SC Freiburg)

DEFENDERS (9): Kellyn Acosta (FC Dallas), Matt Besler (Sporting KC), Steve Birnbaum (D.C. United), John Brooks (Hertha Berlin), Geoff Cameron (Stoke City), Timmy Chandler (Eintracht Frankfurt), Fabian Johnson (Borussia Moencengladbach), Michael Orozco (Club Tijuana), DeAndre Yedlin (Tottenham)

MIDFIELDERS/FORWARDS (12): Kyle Beckerman (Real Salt Lake), Alejandro Bedoya (Nantes), Michael Bradley (Toronto FC), Clint Dempsey (Seattle Sounders FC), Jermaine Jones (Colorado Rapids), Perry Kitchen (Heart of Midlothian), Darlington Nagbe (Portland Timbers), Christian Pulisic (Borussia Dortmund), Chris Wondolowski (San Jose Earthquakes), Bobby Wood (Hamburg), Gyasi Zardes (LA Galaxy), Graham Zusi (Sporting KC)

ECUADOR COPA AMERICA CENTENARIO ROSTER BY POSITION:
GOALKEEPERS (3): Máximo Banguera (Barcelona, ECU), Alexander Domínguez (LDU Quito, ECU), Esteban Dreer (Emelec, ECU)

DEFENDERS (7): Gabriel Achilier (Emelec, ECU), Robert Arboleda (Universidad Católica, ECU), Walter Ayoví (Monterrey, MEX), Frickson Erazo (Atlético Mineiro, BRA), Arturo Mina (Independiente del Valle, ECU), Juan Carlos Paredes (Watford, ENG), Cristian Ramírez (Ferencváros, HUN)

MIDFIELDERS (9): Michael Arroyo (Club América, MEX), Fernando Gaibor (Emelec, ECU), Carlos Gruezo (FC Dallas, USA), Pedro Larrea (El Nacional, ECU), Fidel Martínez (Pumas UNAM, MEX), Ángel Mena (Emelec, ECU), Jefferson Montero (Swansea, WAL), Christian Noboa (Rostov, RUS), Antonio Valencia (Manchester United, ENG)

FORWARDS (4): Jaime Ayoví (Godoy Cruz, ARG), Miler Bolaños (Grêmio, BRA), Juan Cazares (Atlético Mineiro, BRA), Enner Valencia (West Ham United, ENG)