The U.S. Men's National Team (USMNT) faced Ecuador in a friendly match on Friday, October 10, 2025, at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, ending in a 1-1 draw. Here are four key takeaways from the match:
1. A Decent Result Against a Strong Opponent
The USMNT's draw against Ecuador can be viewed as a positive result, considering the quality of the opposition. Ecuador finished second in South America's World Cup qualifying tournament, only behind Argentina, and had an impressive defensive record, conceding just five goals in 18 qualifying matches. Prior to the match, they had only conceded one goal in their last 10 games. USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino acknowledged the challenge Ecuador posed before the game.
2. Balogun's Continued Importance
Folarin Balogun scored the equalizing goal for the U.S. in the 71st minute. This marks his second straight game with a goal, having also scored in September's 2-0 victory against Japan. Balogun's performance against Ecuador was particularly impressive, as he not only finished the chance but also actively created opportunities for himself and his teammates. Some observers feel Balogun may be the answer to the USMNT's long search for a consistent starting forward.
3. The Absence of Key Players
The USMNT missed the contributions of Christian Pulisic and Antonee "Jedi" Robinson. Pulisic, who was named Serie A Player of the Month, experienced ankle swelling after a training session, limiting him to a late appearance in the second half. Robinson is still working to regain full match fitness after recovering from summer knee surgery. Weston McKennie noted the team missed some players due to injuries.
4. Tactical Flexibility and Areas for Improvement
Pochettino shifted tactics during the match, starting with a back three and later transitioning to a back four to try and dominate possession. McKennie pointed out that the team needs to be more aggressive and exploit opportunities better. Despite the positive result, the USMNT needs to improve their concentration in front of the goal and capitalize on their chances. The team demonstrated resilience by fighting back after conceding the first goal.
The USMNT will face Australia in Commerce City, Colorado, on Tuesday to conclude the October international break.
