AUSTIN, Texas – The march to the World Cup continues for the U.S. men’s national team. But before we get to next summer’s 48-nation soccer extravaganza, the USMNT still has several friendly matches left to play.
That included a stern test on Friday against World Cup-bound Ecuador in which Folarin Balogun scored for the second straight game, having also notched a goal in September’s 2-0 win against Japan.
Here are my takeaways:
1. A decent result for the U.S.
The day before Friday’s contest, U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino pointed out that the visitors had finished second in South America’s World Cup qualifying tournament, behind only Lionel Messi and defending champs Argentina.
He didn’t mention how La Tricolor had limited opponents to just five goals in 18 World Cup qualifying matches, or how they came into Friday’s tilt having conceded just once in their last 10 games.
In other words, the Americans had an uphill climb to score. It became a mountain when 35-year-old Ecuador forward Enner Valencia put his side up 1-0 in the 24th minute by beating top U.S. defender Chris Richards and then slotting the ball into the bottom corner of Matt Freese’s net.
Content to milk every stoppage and attack on the counter after that, the U.S. had little room to maneuver against a low-block defense that often had nine Ecuadorian players behind the ball. But the home side kept at it. Eventually, they were rewarded.
2. Balogun’s goal was a team effort
Balogun — the best U.S. player for three games running now — may have gotten the final touch, but it was a team goal. Malik Tillman’s pressed an Ecuadorian defender into a turnover, with Tim Weah finding Tanner Tessmann near the top of the guests’ 18-yard box. Tessmann then passed the ball back to Tillman, who set up Balogun on the doorstep. It was always going to take a moment of quality to break down that defense. The Americans found it when they needed it most.
3. Christian Pulisic, ‘Jedi’ Robinson were needed
After naming the U.S. roster for Friday’s exhibition and another next week against Australia, Pochettino said that Pulisic was “the most important player for the national team.”
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However after experiencing swelling in his ankle following Wednesday’s coaching session, Pulisic (named the Serie A Participant of the Month for his performances with AC Milan) sat out Thursday’s observe and was on the bench to begin the match at Q2 Stadium. He ended up approaching late within the second half, however the U.S. clearly missed his game-breaking quickness and dribbling towards an Ecuador aspect famend for its stinginess.
To make issues worse, the People had been additionally with out one other lock starter and 2022 World Cup veteran in left again Antonee “Jedi” Robinson. Robinson did not even gown; the Fulham man missed the beginning of the Premier League season and the September worldwide window after recovering from summer season knee surgical procedure, and has nonetheless not regained full match health. He has but to play 90 minutes in 2025-26.
To be truthful, Ecuador was with out a number of of its finest, too — most notably Chelsea’s Moisés Caicedo. However till their objective, the hosts had a tough time creating something apart from half-chances with out their finest attacking expertise on the sector.
Mauricio Pochettino continues to work on utilizing totally different gamers and formations in his lineup. (Photograph by Aric Becker/ISI Images/USSF/Getty Photographs)
4. Weston McKennie impresses in USMNT return
Unavailable for the summer season’s Concacaf Gold Cup due to Juventus’ participation within the FIFA Club World Cup, Pochettino additionally left McKennie off of his September roster. Friday’s contest marked the primary worldwide recreation for central midfielder — presumably essentially the most important U.S. participant after Pulisic when at his finest — since shedding to Panama and Canada within the Nations League ultimate in March.
McKennie didn’t fare properly in these video games. If Pochettino was attempting to ship a message final month, it was acquired. The native Texan was a bull within the center, and he was on the coronary heart of lots of the People’ finest moments — together with a close to equalizer within the first half that was brilliantly tipped across the far put up by Tricolor goalkeeper Hernan Galindez — earlier than being changed by Diego Luna. {That a} good signal for the U.S. going ahead.
Weston McKennie returned to motion for the USMNT. (Photograph by John Dorton/ISI Images/USSF/Getty Photographs)
4 ½. On to Australia
Not actually, after all. The USMNT will meet the Socceroos on Tuesday at Dick’s Sporting Items Park in Commerce Metropolis, Colorado. Like Ecuador, Australia has already punched its ticket to subsequent summer season’s World Cup. Earlier Friday in Montreal, the Aussies beat a Canadian aspect that has given the U.S. suits over the past six years, retaining a clear sheet within the course of. With simply 5 video games to go now till Pochettino has to submit his 26-man World Cup roster, it guarantees to be one other compelling check.
Doug McIntyre is a soccer reporter for FOX Sports activities who has lined United States males’s and ladies’s nationwide groups at FIFA World Cups on 5 continents. Observe him @ByDougMcIntyre.
