Ecuador National Team at a glance

Ecuador is a team in need of a spark, and they will look to their youth to ignite them. Since the 2006 World Cup in Germany, where Ecuador surprised many by winning two of their three first-round games and advancing to the round of 16 before being eliminated by England, the team has been rather disappointing on the football pitch.
At the 2007 Copa America, the championship of South America, Ecuador failed to build upon its positive play at the World Cup the previous year. The team lost all three of its first-round games, conceding six goals in the process. They were absent from last summer’s World Cup after falling one point shy of Uruguay for the final qualifying spot.
In their games leading up to this summer’s Copa America, Ecuador has been less than stellar thus far. Other than a respectful 2-2 draw against soccer powerhouse Argentina, Ecuador has lost by two goals to Colombia and tied both Peru and Honduras. They are currently the 64th ranked team in the world according to FIFA, and have dropped considerably since they were ranked 24th in March 2007. In order to get in good football form before the Copa America, and raise the morale in their locker-room and stands, Ecuador must perform well on their current North American trip, starting with their game against Mexico on May 28.
Ecuador plays with a 4-4-2 formation. Their lineup is an attacking one, starting with two strikers next to one another at the top, and no true defensive midfielders. Instead, Ecuador plays with two wingers, one on each side of the field, and two center midfielders between them. One of these central midfielders will likely fall back and help the defense plug the gaps whenever possible, and then sprint back up the field when Ecuador is in possession of the ball. Luckily for captain Walter Ayoví and the rest of the Ecuadorian defenders, the Greeks are not known for their scoring ability or offensive efficiency.
Ecuador’s attack is both youthful and dangerous, featuring Antonio Valencia and Felipe Caicedo. Valencia, who plays his club football for Manchester United of the English Premier League, is among the best, young right wingers in soccer. His pace on the ball and wonderful passing accuracy makes him a threat each time he gets into space. Valencia is particularly effective getting down the line and finding his teammates’ heads inside the penalty area with one of his signature crosses.
Caicedo is a speedy striker with a nose for goal. He has shined in recent months with Levante of the Spanish La Liga, scoring 13 goals in his 27 appearances with the club, including the team’s only goal in a 1-1 draw with league champions Barcelona. The 22-year-old has shown tremendous maturity, and has been among the leading contributors for Levante in their fight to stay in Spain’s first division next season. Caicedo is certainly in fine form, and he will be a likely target for Valencia in front of goal.
In the midfield, Ecuador is depending on the versatile Christian Noboa. Noboa, who is the captain of Rubin Kazan in the Russian Premier League, is capable of playing almost any position in the midfield, making him crucial if Ecuador hopes to play a balanced style. Noboa played very well for Rubin Kazan in the UEFA Champions League this season, and has shown his affinity for the biggest stages and brightest lights by excelling with the international team since being called up.
Ecuador’s quickness may prove troublesome for the Greeks, who have not fared well against speedy attackers in the past. Valencia’s ability to run at defenders with success and find open teammates, and Noboa’s distribution of the ball through the midfield will be the keys to Ecuador’s game. However, their offensive formation may be their undoing. If the Ecuadorians push too far up and commit to their attack, the Greeks may start a counter the other way and take advantage on the fast break.