AUSTIN, Texas – The U.S. Men's National Team showcased resilience and determination, securing a 1-1 draw against a strong Ecuador side at Q2 Stadium on Friday night. After conceding a first-half goal, the Americans fought back to earn a hard-fought tie, demonstrating the character and competitive spirit that coach Mauricio Pochettino has been trying to instill.
Ecuador, ranked 24th globally, presented a tough challenge, entering the match unbeaten in 11 straight games and having finished second in CONMEBOL World Cup Qualifying. Their strong defensive record, allowing just five goals in 18 World Cup qualifying matches, highlighted the difficulty the U.S. faced.
The match began with both teams testing each other. Folarin Balogun, the U.S. striker, had an early opportunity in the 8th minute, forcing a save from Ecuador's goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez. However, it was Ecuador who broke the deadlock in the 24th minute. A quick counterattack saw John Yeboah feed Enner Valencia, who beat Chris Richards and slotted the ball past goalkeeper Matt Freese. Valencia's goal was his 48th in 101 international appearances.
Despite going behind, the U.S. continued to press. Richards almost made amends early in the second half, but Galíndez again denied him with a save. The pressure eventually paid off in the 71st minute. After some sustained pressure, Malik Tillman received the ball in a tight space and passed to Balogun, who finished past Galíndez. It was Balogun's seventh international goal.
The U.S. pushed for a winner, with Christian Pulisic entering the match as a substitute. Haji Wright also had a late chance, but the Ecuador defense held firm. The match ended in a 1-1 draw, a result that Pochettino saw as a positive step.
"I'm so happy," Pochettino said. "I think the response was very good. I think we kept playing the way we wanted to play." He also highlighted the team's improved intensity compared to when he first took charge.
Weston McKennie, who returned to the team after a hiatus, echoed the sentiment. "I felt like we dominated," McKennie said. "They're a dangerous team on transitions and dangerous when we gave them the opportunity to be dangerous off our own mistakes."
The draw extends the U.S.'s unbeaten run against top 25 opponents to two games, following a 2-0 win over Japan last month. While a win would have been ideal, the performance against a tough Ecuador team provided encouragement. The U.S. will look to build on this result as they face Australia in Commerce City, Colorado, on Tuesday.
The match was played in front of a sold-out crowd of 20,738 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.
