The USMNT’s second half against Ecuador gives positives for Pochettino

AUSTIN, Texas – At first glance, the term “a tale of two halves” does not seem appropriate to describe Friday’s 1-1 tie between the U.S. men’s national team and Ecuador. The USA had a huge possession advantage throughout, created good chances, and dominated Don’t see For long periods. But if we look from a different angle, it is applicable.

In the first half, even with the USA controlling the tempo (64.4% versus 35.6% possession), it was Ecuador that controlled key territory. They made more of the little plays that matter. This ability is consistent with their recent history. They are a team with defensive solidity, excellent goalkeeping when needed, and an opportunistic attack to finish second in World Cup qualifying behind defending champions Argentina. along the way, Don’t see He conceded a scant five goals in 18 matches. Although scoring 14 goals is not a lot, it was enough to qualify for the World Cup for the sixth time in a row.

In this match, however, Ecuador checked every one of those boxes. The defense was adept at cutting down space, clearing passes, and forcing the United States into dead alleys. On the rare occasions when the United States penetrated the goalkeeper Hernan Galindez He was there to make a pair of impressive saves, including a deflection off the post Chris Richards Shot in the 26th minute.

In attack, Ecuador punished the United States with a transition goal in the 24th minute. American midfielder Aidan Morris He came up empty when he attempted to jump on a transition pass to Jordi Alcivar, and the Ecuadorian midfielder’s subsequent pass to Inner Valencia The Pachuca striker was allowed to get into a one-on-one situation against Richards, which he made the most of to drill a shot inside Matt Freeze’s far post.

That play, full of small victories that turned into decisive sequences, defined the first half.

– Hernandez: Balogun’s clinical finish gives the USMNT a draw at 9/10
– Pochettino says USMNT’s ‘brave’ second half sealed draw with Ecuador
– Carlisle, Connelly: Predict USMNT 2026 World Cup forwards

In the second half, the United States reversed this trend. The team defended with composure, increased the attacking tempo and scored a goal free from pressure in a play involving Tim Weah, Tanner Tessman and Malik TillmanAnd it ended with Folarin Balogun Tillman’s central feed record. The United States did its best to find a winner, but was unable to break through again.

However, it was a performance that reflected well on the USMNT, even if the result was not entirely satisfactory. He showed a lot of dynamism in attack, with Tillman and Weston McKinney Using lots of clever touches to find Balogun in those spaces behind the defense where he thrives. Defensively, the team looked strong in a formation that emulated the approach they took in the Gold Cup, playing with a fluid back line that often defended with four players, but allowed for a left-back. Max Arvsten To be tilted upward into the field.

But among the most encouraging aspects of the game was the United States’ ability to win more of the small battles in the second half and turn them into decisive plays. Establishing this habit is a vital part of achieving success at the 2026 World Cup next summer. In this type of competition, the teams are very evenly matched, especially in the knockout rounds, where it is often the small details that make the difference between progressing in the tournament and getting an early ticket back.

For most of this calendar year, at least in games involving most of the first-team players, the United States has not been playing those small games. Friday’s game, as well as last month’s encounter with Japan, showed a team more capable of coming out on top in those sequences.

How the United States did this is open to interpretation, but suffice it to say it is multifaceted. The USA is finally playing with the kind of energy and desire that coach Mauricio Pochettino demands, as evidenced by the USMNT winning 53.4% ​​of duels, 73.3% of tackles, and 65.0% of aerial challenges. This creates a platform for more effective offensive play. For Pochettino, this development almost comes as a relief.

The American coach said afterwards: “I am very happy that we are not talking about other things like commitment, behavior or things like that, which were normal in the past.” “I think this is a huge step forward… If we are better and show that we are better than our opponent, we can win. If we do not show that, it is because this is a football problem.”

He added: “We showed a great mentality, and this is the way we want to build the World Cup.”

But this is also a team looking to get some relief with Pochettino’s system. It has certainly taken some time – much longer than expected when Pochettino took charge of the program 12 months ago – but that long-awaited cohesion is now progressing, and the team’s confidence is growing. The United States is playing more instinctively, rather than overthinking situations.

“If you’re thinking, ‘Oh, I should move here or I should move here,’ then all of a sudden you start thinking more [rather] Than just do it,” the American Defender Tim Ream He said. “And now you see it all of a sudden; the ideas are taking hold, and now everyone is doing their job and can really give everything at all times.”

Couple that with the US team’s high level of physicality – a strong suit for the side for a long time – and you have a team that can gain the upper hand and maintain that advantage as well. For Reem, it started to show in the second half, not in physically overpowering their opponents, but in slowly wearing them down. It creates a snowball effect where each challenge won fuels the team with more energy.

“We started making more plays. We started looking like a more energetic team as the game went on,” he said. “And listen, as someone who’s been on the other side of that, you know and smell that. You’re like, ‘Okay, these guys are starting to report, they’re starting to get a little gassy,’ and you actually feel more energized and it allows you to beat them more and start making more little plays, communicating better. I think we connected well in the first half, but I think there were closer connections in the second half. I’ll tell you “With an order, it takes its toll on teams, and it did today.”

This improvement, from tactics to mentality to physicality to execution, is even more impressive when you consider who was missing. Alejandro Zendegaswho was so inspiring against Japan, missed the match with a knee injury that saw him make his way back to Club America; Anthony Robinsonwhose return to the USMNT fold was seen as giving the side a major boost, was not on the gameday roster; Christian Pulisic He was reduced to 17 minutes off the bench; Tyler Adams (His partner is about to have a baby) and Serginio Dest (Injured) didn’t even make the list.

The USA is undoubtedly a better team with these players. Pochettino faces the challenge of deciding who will make the World Cup squad and who will take to the field once that is decided. But, given where this team is at, and the progress they’re making, this is the kind of puzzle he’ll be more than happy to try to solve.