US loses to Ecuador 2-1 in Under-19 World Cup quarterfinal

The United States has been knocked out of the Under-20 World Cup at the quarterfinal stage for the third straight tournament, losing to Ecuador 2-1 Saturday at Gdynia, Poland.

Jhon Espinoza scored the tiebreaking goal in the 43rd minute for Ecuador, which next plays South Korea or Senegal on Tuesday. Italy meets Ukraine in the other semifinal.

José Cifuentes put Ecuador ahead in the 30th minute and Tim Weah tied the score in the 36th.

The U.S. lost to Serbia on penalty kicks in the 2015 quarterfinal and to Venezuela in extra time in the 2017 quarters. The Americans have not advanced past the quarterfinals since 1999, when a U.S. team with goalkeeper Kasey Keller lost to Nigeria in the semifinals.

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