A late second-half equalizer from Folarin Balogun secured a 1-1 draw for the U.S. men’s national team against Ecuador in Austin, Texas, on Friday evening.
After falling behind to a 24th-minute goal from Enner Valencia, the U.S. team showcased impressive attacking play early in the match. They dominated possession with 66% and registered six shots, but were unable to score in the first half due to strong saves from Ecuador’s goalkeeper, Hernán Galíndez.
The Americans maintained their pressure in the second half, bolstered by the introduction of attacking players like Diego Luna and Alex Freeman. This dynamic play resulted in Balogun’s equalizing goal in the 71st minute. With the aim of clinching a win, manager Mauricio Pochettino later introduced Christian Pulisic and Haji Wright.
Despite the U.S. pushing for a victory, Ecuador demonstrated solid defensive organization, ensuring the match ended in a 1-1 stalemate.
As they continue their preparation for the FIFA World Cup, Pochettino and the U.S. squad will conclude this international break with another friendly against Australia on Tuesday.
Manager Rating: Out of 10
Mauricio Pochettino, 7 — While the result isn’t a win and conceding early wasn’t ideal, Pochettino effectively crafted an engaging strategy featuring quick transitions within his 3-4-2-1 formation. Had it not been for some remarkable saves from Galíndez, the U.S. might have taken an early lead. Pochettino will need to address small details with his squad, particularly in dead-ball situations and ball possession, but against a challenging opponent, Friday’s performance was commendable.
Player Ratings (0-10; 10 = best; 5 = average)
GK Matt Freese, 6 — Hardly to blame for Ecuador’s goal, Freese couldn’t capitalize on key moments when it mattered. Nevertheless, he made a strong high claim and a critical save in the second half.
DF Tim Ream, 7 — The 38-year-old captain was dependable in aerial and ground duels, fitting seamlessly into the restructured defense.
DF Chris Richards, 5 — Tough to assess; he was caught off guard on Ecuador’s goal but was a near threat on a corner shortly afterward. An inconsistent performance marked by a yellow card.
DF Miles Robinson, 7 — Robinson showcased comfort within the back three, remaining aggressive despite receiving an unfortunate yellow card.
MF Max Arfsten, 6 — Average defensively but showed promise going forward. His minutes in the 3-4-2-1 formation should continue to build until Antonee Robinson returns to fitness.
MF Tanner Tessmann, 6 — An essential connecting player in midfield, though not particularly flashy, he has room for growth despite contributing to a significant assist.
MF Aidan Morris, 8 — Making his first start in nearly a year, Morris was very active, displaying impressive ball progression and essential tackles, marking a significant progression for the young player.
MF Tim Weah, 7 — Weah, who described his role as a “fake wing back,” was dynamic on the right side and successfully added a few shots to the scoreboard while adeptly working in a deeper position.
AM Weston McKennie, 7 — The Juventus midfielder should have netted an assist late in the first half, and his involvement only grew during the match as he engaged in clever setups.
AM Malik Tillman, 8 — Demonstrating great chemistry with Balogun, Tillman facilitated swift connections in attack and delivered a well-deserved assist in the second half.
FW Folarin Balogun, 9 — Balogun fought hard in confrontations with Ecuador players, consistently making threatening runs in the final third and ultimately scoring the equalizer for the USMNT.
Substitutes (Players introduced after 70 minutes do not receive a rating)
AM Diego Luna, 6 — Showed a strong desire to contribute to the attack and managed to get a shot on target.
DF Alex Freeman, 7 — Made key recoveries and utilized his speed effectively down the right flank.
DF Mark McKenzie, NR — Contributed two clearances and thwarted a shot.
FW Christian Pulisic, NR — Pochettino revealed prior to the match that the AC Milan player had an ankle issue, which restricted his playtime.
MF Cristian Roldan, NR — Completed 10 of 12 passes quickly during the closing moments of the match.
FW Haji Wright, NR — Made his presence felt with a couple of quick shots during his brief stint.