4 quick points from the US men’s 1-1 draw with Ecuador

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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But after suffering swelling in his ankle following Wednesday’s training session, Pulisic (who was named Serie A Player of the Year for his performance for Milan) missed Thursday’s training and was on the bench to start the match at the Q2 Stadium. He ended up coming on late in the second half, but the United States clearly missed his speed and dribbling against a notoriously stingy Ecuadorian team.

To make matters worse, the Americans were also without another key player and 2022 World Cup veteran in left back Anthony “Geddy” Robinson. Robinson wasn’t even dressed. The Fulham player missed the start of the Premier League season and the international period in September after recovering from knee surgery in the summer, and is yet to regain full match fitness. He has yet to play 90 minutes in the 2025-26 season.

To be fair, Ecuador was missing several of its best players as well, most notably Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo. But until their goal, the home side struggled to create anything other than half-chances without their best attacking talent on the pitch.

4. Weston McKennie impresses in USMNT comeback

Pochettino was not available for the summer CONCACAF Gold Cup due to Juventus’ participation in the Club World Cup, and Pochettino also left McKennie off his roster for September. Friday’s match was the first international appearance for the central midfielder – perhaps the most dynamic American player after Pulisic when he is at his best – since losing to Panama and Canada in the Nations League final in March.

McKinney did not fare well in those games. If Pochettino was trying to send a message last month, it was received. The Texas native was a bull in the middle, at the heart of many of the Americans’ best moments – including a close first-half equalizer that was brilliantly tipped around the far post. Tricolor goalkeeper Hernan Galindez – before being replaced by Diego Luna. This is a good sign for the United States moving forward.

4 ½. To Australia

Not literally, of course. The USMNT will meet Australia on Tuesday at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado. Like Ecuador, Australia has already booked its ticket to next summer’s World Cup. Earlier Friday in Montreal, the Aussies beat a Canadian team that has been a plague on the United States for the past six years, keeping a clean sheet in the process. With just five games remaining until Pochettino must present his 26-man squad for the World Cup, it promises to be another compelling test.

Doug McIntyre He is a football reporter for FOX Sports who covers the events US Men’s and women’s national teams at FIFA World Cup finals on five continents. Follow him @By Doug McIntyre.