🔗 Share this article

In September of last year, in the sweltering evening warmth of Ecuador's port city, the national squad secured their Conmebol World Cup qualifying campaign with a narrow 1-0 win over front-runners and current title winners Argentina. the 35-year-old forward, the country's leading marksman, netted the success with a 12-yard shot on his century cap. The iconic stadium roared with ecstasy and emotion.

Both sides had previously guaranteed qualification for the 2026 World Cup, and the visitors were taking part without the superstar, who had previously ended his run to the preliminary stage after his concluding game in the capital a few short time before. But these storylines mattered to the Ecuadorian fans. They were acknowledging a superb campaign as La Tricolor finished second in the standings, their highest placement since Conmebol qualifiers adopted a one-league format. What's more, this feat came despite starting the qualifiers with a sanction due to the use of paperwork with inaccurate details to register the defender in the last edition.

That became a campaign of total fortitude; the team have additionally not lost in a game since early September last year, a tight 1-0 defeat away at the Seleção. During that period, they have merely conceded one goal, with a mere five goals surrendered over the whole of the campaign.

National Progress Might Seem Unexpected, But It’s Actually a Logical Outcome of Local Investment

The national team's rise could be surprising to some, but it’s actually a natural extension of the advancement of the domestic game, an increase of players earning a living in the Old Continent, and a youth system that keeps to produce future icons. This is a side that could make a run in next summer’s World Cup. Now, as they get ready for non-competitive fixtures against two hosts – the USMNT and El Tri – the objective and motto from the team's perspective is clear: maintain momentum.

“The goal is to treat these friendlies with the equal seriousness of focus as official matches,” stated manager Beccacece in a recent presser. “Each of the USA and El Tri are highly competitive national teams and we want to come out on top.”

The coach, from across the border, was appointed La Tricolor's boss in August of 2024, replacing his predecessor after losing to the Albiceleste in the continental championship last eight. At 44, he’s a relatively inexperienced coach, and has so far not been an international one. He has no background as a athlete either. In Ecuador, he grabbed a prized jobs in Latin American the beautiful game, with a gifted and ambitious roster featuring the London club's Caicedo and Paris Saint-Germain's defender Willian Pacho.

However in spite of this apparent odd pairing, the coach has imparted defensive discipline into a squad that are currently specialists of the fast break thanks to an surplus of poise and speed. Under him, the low block is their friend, notably when holding on to a one-goal cushion and to the team, defending – according to the proverb – really does win championships. Due to this approach, there are parts of the local press that lament the absence of offensive creativity. Out of the South American sides who earned a spot for the World Cup, the team were the equal lowest scorers together with the other qualifier. However to the team, their tight defensive unit is a emblem of pride.

Shared Duty and Stubbornness Defined the Team's Game Plan

“It's not that we play with a five-man defense,” stated Preciado, an key member of the team, when asked on Ecuador’s well-known program Marca 90 about the inclination to use with such a compact defense. “As a attacking full-back [first] but I try to help the backline. Perhaps it’s viewed as a cautious style but we perform a distinct type of role.”

That function he hinted at is a team-wide task to guard the goalkeeper and make sure no one penetrates the 18-yard box. Ecuador has turned stubbornness into an specialty.

His Background and Impact on La Tricolor

Beccacece's lack of background as a player means he has progressed gradually through the managerial ranks, in time operating as right-hand man with the renowned coach as his number two for Universidad de Chile where they won practically every local trophy and the South American equivalent in 2011. Eventually it brought the duo to the Chilean squad during the nation's most successful period, which featured the FIFA event in the Brazil edition when the Chilean side eliminated Spain in the Round of 16. Beccacece and Sampaoli were furthermore the team that steered Chile to lift the South American championship a the following year. Later, he joined local side the Halcón before his mentor approached him once again, this time as a member of the global finals quest for his home country.

Now he manages a squad that has grown|