Updated: June 17, 2016 at 5:55 AM

2016 Copa America: USA vs Ecuador (16 images)

Both sides struggled as they had players sent off with red cards, but the United States managed to grind out a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Ecuador on Thursday night at CenturyLink Field in Seattle to advance to the semifinals.

USA's Clint Dempsey (8) celebrates after scoring a goal Ecuador in a 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer quarterfinals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on June 16, 2016. USA beat Ecuador 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI

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USA;'s Bobby Wood (7) kicks the ball away from Ecuador's Walter Ayovi (10) in a 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer quarterfinals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on June 16, 2016. USA beat Ecuador 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI

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USA Ecuador's Antonio Valencia (16) receives a yellow card from Referee Wilmar Roldan during their game against USA in a 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer quarterfinals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on June 16, 2016. USA beat Ecuador 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI

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USA's Jermaine Jones (13) defends Ecuador's Carlos Gruezo (18) in a 2016 Copa America Centenario soccer quarterfinals at CenturyLink Field in Seattle on June 16, 2016. USA beat Ecuador 2-1 to advance to the semifinals. Photo by Jim Bryant/UPI

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