AUSTIN, Texas \u2014 Mauricio Pochettino\u2019s tenure preparing the U.S. men’s national soccer team for the 2026 World Cup has hardly been a smooth process.<\/p>\n
Both opportunities to hoist a trophy failed and some of the performances have been downright concerning. On Friday, though, despite star forward Christian Pulisic sitting out until late in the game with an ailing ankle, the Americans seemed to turn a corner.<\/p>\n
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They did not beat Ecuador. No, the friendly at Q2 Stadium ended in a 1-1 draw. But the U.S. team displayed ideas and execution, played with commitment and passion, and created numerous scoring opportunities against a stalwart defense.<\/p>\n
Folarin Balogun scored the equalizer in the 71st minute after Enner Valencia had put Ecuador ahead midway through the first half.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe response was very good,\u201d Pochettino said. \u201cWe keep playing in the way that we plan to play.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Americans carried over their momentum from the 2-0 victory over Japan last month, again displaying comfort with three center backs and two wing backs as opposed to the four-man backline that has defined the U.S. defense for years.<\/p>\n
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In possession, the hosts were enterprising and ambitious \u2014 a positive development after a number of clunky performances the past year.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was a very, very serious performance, very professional,\u201d Pochettino said. \u201cWe need to improve in some details, but that is the way we want to compete. \u2026 To show that passion and compete in the way we compete today, that is the way.\u201d<\/p>\n
In describing the performance, Pochettino called his players \u201cbrave\u201d and multiple times cited their \u201canimation.\u201d<\/p>\n
On the tying goal, Balogun was the beneficiary of Malik Tillman\u2019s high pressure that forced a giveaway. Tim Weah linked with Tanner Tessmann, who pushed the ball wide to Tillman. Tillman\u2019s low cross met Balogun crashing the 6-yard box for a one\u2013touch finish off the inside of the near post.<\/p>\n
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The Americans will now pack their bags for Denver, where on Tuesday they will face another Cup-bound team, Australia. After that, all that remains before World Cup roster selection in May are home meetings against Paraguay and Uruguay next month and two home matches in March.<\/p>\n
Weighing physical readiness and Tuesday\u2019s demands, Pochettino selected seven of his usual starters: goalkeeper Matt Freese, defenders Chris Richards and Tim Ream, wing backs Weah and Max Arfsten, midfielders Tillman and forward Balogun.<\/p>\n
In their first call-ups since the Nations League finals in March, Weston McKennie and Tessmann were in the midfield. So was Aidan Morris, who last played for Pochettino almost a year ago. Defender Miles Robinson started for the first time since a June friendly against T\u00fcrkiye.<\/p>\n
Back with the team for the first time in 11 months, World Cup veteran Antonee Robinson was not in uniform after apparently suffering an ailment this week. Forward Alex Zendejas was also scratched with a knee injury; he will leave camp and return to Club Am\u00e9rica, his Mexican team, Pochettino said.<\/p>\n
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Those absences added to an inactive list that included right back Sergi\u00f1o Dest and midfielder Tyler Adams, who were not available for roster selection last week.<\/p>\n
Headed to its second consecutive World Cup and fifth overall, Ecuador arrived on the heels of a fabulous qualifying campaign. Only Argentina earned more points in the South American competition, and on the final day last month, Ecuador defeated the reigning champions to finish with an 8-2-8 record and just five goals conceded.<\/p>\n