Mauricio Pochettino has repeatedly emphasized throughout the United States’ unpredictable journey in 2025 that he is not fixated on results at this stage. The primary focus for him is clear: winning at the 2026 World Cup is paramount, and, in his view, it’s the only victory that truly matters. While he hopes results will eventually reflect performances, that’s not a concern for now.
That sentiment is fortunate because, once again on Friday night, the US delivered a performance that was ultimately met with a result that fell short of what they earned. The 1-1 draw with Ecuador in Austin, Texas, saw the US dominate much of the game, winning most individual defensive battles and occasionally launching attractive attacks against Ecuador’s organized defense.
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Ecuador’s goal stemmed from a relatively minor mistake in the first half, which was seized upon and converted by the ageless veteran Enner Valencia. The US equalized in the 71st minute thanks to Folarin Balogun, who scored during one of the few promising plays that didn’t typically lead to scoring opportunities. The expressions on the faces of the US players after the final whistle showed their disappointment; they felt they could and should have achieved more against a team that finished second in a tough South American qualifying round.
Related: Defensive, wily and intense, Ecuador aim to make 2026 World Cup their best
The US employed a three-man backline for this match (with Tim Ream, Chris Richards, and Miles Robinson starting), supported by aggressive wingbacks and a double-pivot in midfield (Tanner Tessmann and Aidan Morris, who both returned to the national team after lengthy absences). Once again, the US showed comfort in this formation, finding their rhythm after a few shaky moments caused by Ecuador’s pressing early on.
Tim Weah’s deployment as the right wingback added an interesting dynamic—although he has frequently played this role at the club level, he has done so less often for the national team. He appeared to settle in nicely, providing balance alongside Max Arfsten on the left flank, with both players overlapping as the US pressed forward into Ecuador’s half.
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<p.Valencia managed to put Ecuador ahead in the 31st minute with a run and finish that belied his 35 years. In his 101st cap, the former West Ham and Everton forward found himself with space against US defender Chris Richards. With a precise touch, he created room and moved into the penalty area, firing a perfectly aimed shot past Richards' feet and US goalkeeper Matt Freese to score the opening goal.
The US defense, particularly Richards, will face scrutiny for that moment. Moreover, the midfield’s role deserves some attention; they were caught upfield as Jordy Alcivar received a pass from the back and had the time to find Valencia with ease.
Related: Back in form, Folarin Balogun is seeking a momentum-shifting win with the US: ‘I think we need that’
Richards quickly sought to redeem himself, connecting with a corner kick shortly after with a close-range shot on the ground, saved by Ecuador’s Hernán Gilíndez—one of his five saves that night.
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The US concluded the first half with 66% possession—maintaining this share throughout—but had little to show for it due to unfortunate circumstances, stubborn defending from Ecuador, and occasional indecisive play.
A significant example of this indecision occurred in the 31st minute when the US had numbers pushing forward after regaining possession in midfield, but Morris found himself isolated near the right touchline with four teammates making runs into the box—none of whom came short to offer options. When Morris eventually chose to pass to Weah’s overlapping run, the delivery was too heavy and rolled out of play.
Despite these setbacks, there were many positives for the US. Effective defending prevented Ecuador’s counterattacks, highlighted by a crucial tackle from Miles Robinson in the 33rd minute that halted a potential 3-on-1 situation following a set piece.
Throughout, the US successfully exploited gaps in Ecuador’s well-organized defense but struggled to convert those opportunities until Balogun found the net. It marked Balogun’s second consecutive US appearance resulting in a goal, indicating he is solidifying his role as the team’s starting striker.
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His equalizing goal stemmed from a poor turnover by Ecuador while attempting to play out of the back. Tessmann intercepted the ball near the edge of the box and delivered a well-placed pass to Malik Tillman, who was barely kept onside by Ecuadorian defender Joel Ordóñez as he jostled for position with Balogun near the penalty spot. Tillman’s cutback found Balogun, whose shot hit the post and went in.
This goal ended Ecuador’s 520-minute shutout streak, showcasing their defensive strength that contributed to their best-ever World Cup qualifying campaign while highlighting that the challenges the US faced were certainly not unique.
There were additional near-misses and opportunities that were blocked, as well as passes that were just off-target. Christian Pulisic, who started on the bench as a precaution after an injury in training, was pivotal in creating several positive moments after his introduction as a substitute.
In the end, the US’s clear progression will undoubtedly be a relief for fans who have long awaited the emergence of this generation as formidable contenders against the world’s best. Unfortunately, the result did not reflect their improvements.