Ecuador is one of eight nations making its World Cup debut this summer. And while newcomers tend to struggle their first time out, Ecuador has the advantage of being drawn into a group with two other World Cup debutantes in Cameroon and Switzerland. That fact, coupled with a strong team backbone that saw them survive a gruelling South American qualification campaign and then win a two-game playoff means La Tricolor have a better than average chance of making it out of the group stage in Canada.
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ROSTER
Goalkeepers: Shirley Berruz, Irene Tobar and Andrea Vera
Defenders: Ligia Moreira, Nancy Aguilar, Ingrid Rodríguez, Kerly Real, Merly Zambrano, Angie Ponce and Katherine Ortíz
Midfielders: Mayra Olivera, Andrea Pesántes, Valeria Palacios, Alexandra Salvador, Erika Vásquez, Madeleine Riera, Adriana Barré and Mabel Velarde
Forwards: Mónica Quinteros, Carina Caicedo, Ámbar Torres, Giannina Lattanzio and Mariela Jácome
COACH
Vanessa Arauz is young—she’ll only be 26 by the time the World Cup takes place—but she’s not lacking soccer smarts. A former midfielder wit Ecuadorian club Emelec during her playing days, Arauz earned her coaching degree four years ago and was duly named assistant of Ecuador’s senior women’s team. She was named head coach in 2013 and has earned a reputation as a master motivator and a stickler for details. Of qualifying for the World Cup, she said, “We got there by battling and showing real desire… people said that this would be the difference between winning and losing.”
GROUP C SCHEDULE
June 8: vs. Cameroon in Vancouver
June 12: vs. Switzerland in Vancouver
June 16: vs. Japan in Winnipeg
HOW THEY QUALIFIED
After placing second in the opening group stage, Ecuador finished in third place (out of four nations) in the final round of last year’s Copa America Femenina hosted on home soil. The top two nations—Brazil and Colombia—automatically qualified for the World Cup. As the third-best team in South America, Ecuador was forced into a two-game playoff versus Trinidad and Tobago, the fourth-place nation in the CONCACAF qualifiers. Ecuador won the series to secure World Cup qualification.
TEAM STRENGTH
La Tricolor is a well-drilled side thanks to Arauz; a team that is well-organized and maintains its defensive shape, and is known for its tactical discipline—regardless of what players are in the starting 11.
TEAM WEAKNESS
Goals could be hard to come by at the World Cup for Ecuador, who only scored seven goals in as many South American qualifying games—and only one in their two-legged playoff series. Forwards Giannina Lattanzio and Monica Quiteros aren’t exactly clinical finishers, and the team has few other scoring options.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Giannina Lattanzio: Born in Italy, she moved to Ecuador with her family as a teenager and is one of South America’s brightest prospects. She scored three goals at the 2014 Copa America Femenina, and is her country’s top scoring threat.
BURNING QUESTION
As mentioned, La Tricolor are well-organized and tactically disciplined. But they lack creativity and genuine game-breakers—players who can change the complexion of a match in an instant with a moment of inspiration and genius. Will a lack of flair hurt Ecuador? Will the South American’s commitment and work ethic be enough to see them through to the knockout round?
PROSPECTS IN CANADA
The World Cup newcomers from Ecuador are in the same group Japan, but they won’t have to face the defending World Cup champions until the third match of the group stage. Before that they have two winnable games against Switzerland and Cameroon, two other nations making their tournament debut. Four points from their opening two games isn’t impossible, and that would likely be enough to finish second. They’ll be in contention for a Round of 16 spot, but don’t expect them do anything once they get there.
WORLD CUP HISTORY
Ecuador has never qualified for the FIFA Women’s World Cup. It will make its tournament debut this summer in Canada.