Quito, Oct. 3 -- Ecuador manager Sebastian Beccacece has said his team would treat friendlies against the United States and Mexico as competitive fixtures in a bid to ready his squad for next year's FIFA World Cup.
Ecuador will meet the United States in Austin, Texas, on October 10 and Mexico in Zapopan, near Guadalajara, four days later.
"The challenge we have is to bring to these friendlies the same level of intensity that we experience in official matches," Beccacece told a news conference on Thursday.
"It's all about giving ourselves the best possible chance of having the best World Cup in our history next year."Ecuador secured a World Cup place by finishing second in South American qualifying, despite a three-point deduction over By...