USA vs. Ecuador in the U20 quarterfinal today at 11:30am ET.
To get here, Ecuador was the top finisher in CONMEBOL qualifying, which included wins over Paraguay, Argentina (x2), Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, a draw against Brazil, and two losses to Uruguay. In the WC, they finished third in their group after tying Japan, losing to Italy, and beating Mexico. They avenged their qualifying losses to Uruguay in the R16.
Ecuador has an extra day of rest since the R16. The US will get Alex Mendez and Chris Durkin back from yellow card suspension. I'm guessing that Mendez will start in place of Ledezma, who is not close to 90 minute fitness after missing most of the season. Mendez isn't exactly known for Hejdukian levels of fitness, so I think we'll see Ledezma come on for him later in the game.
I think Durkin will send Servania back to the bench, but we'll see.
Another big question: should Llanez start over the flashy-but-not-all-that-effective Konrad de la Fuente? There are also fitness questions there; Llanez just hasn't played much as he left LAG's academy a while ago but won't be eligible for Wolfsburg U19 games until the fall.
The last issue: Aboubacar Keita has had his moments, but has also played with fire at the time, but McKenzie hasn't been in top form or fitness either.