USMNT vs Ecuador October Friendly: Preview, Time, and How to Watch
The USMNT are back in action tonight taking on Ecuador, who have qualified from the intense and gritty CONMEBOL qualifying process, an effort which was completed with a 1-0 win over Argentina in the last international window. Ecuador succeeded in this process by being shrewd and stalwart out of possession and counterattacking with efficiency. We’ve seen the US men struggle mightily with such tactical setups before, so it will be up to Pochettino and his players to improve on past experiences.
The US head into tonight’s game with Pochettino pondering his best lineup, tactics, and personnel, which should be concerning to fans this late in the cycle heading into hosting most of a World Cup tournament. Christian Pulisic is arguably in the best form of his life for his club, but will it translate better than it has to the national team? Weston McKennie makes a return to the roster after not making the trip for the last two friendlies. Seeing where and how he fits into Poch’s plans tonight will be a pointed narrative, especially with Tyler Adams notable admission, especially given the less proven central midfield options on the roster.
Other big names absent are Yunus Musah who has struggled to earn minutes in Serie A, and fullback star Sergino Dest, who is healthy after a long injury spell for PSV and the national team. Goalkeeper is another open question, with Matt Freese and Matt Turner in camp rounded out by Patrick Schulte and Chris Brady. Freese has consistently started of late, but the position has rarely been so uncertain as it has late in this cycle. Alex Zendejas strong performance in the last friendly also merits a mention, as the US continues to search for consistency in attack.
Will Poch continue with a three back defensive system? Will the team be as direct as they were in their victory over Japan? Who will shine, who will falter? Tune in tonight to find out!
Will post a lineup in the comments closer to kickoff.
How to Watch
USA vs. Ecuador
Advertised Kick-off Time: 8:30pm Eastern, 5:30pm Pacific
Venue: Q2 Stadium, Austin
Available TV: TNT (English), Universo (Spanish)
Available streaming: Max (English), Peacock (Spanish), Universo Now (Spanish), FuboTV (Free Trial)
US Starters:
Freese, Richards, Tessmann, McKennie, M. Robinson, Ream (C), Tillman, Arfsten, Balogun, Weah, Morris
Thanks, was looking to find a way to share an image, but this works!
Really fascinating that McKennie starts with Tillman as the players underneath Balogun, and no Pulisic in the lineup.
Really strange that the substitutes include 3 (!?!?!) goalkeepers
I did read Pulisic was questionable.
Ah. If you told me none of Weah, Pulisic, or Zendejas would make the lineup, I would have not believed it
Apparently Zendejas is injured?
NO reason to get personal, Annie.
Both teams being narrow and compact to the detriment of their fluency and width. Sorta strange game in that regard
Balogun has looked pretty good to start.
Quick counter and its a goal for Ecuador.
Well, that’s what Enner Valencia does, to much better defenses than us
Can we stop being cute in the back? Ecuador is a team that can punish us for that.
This cycle, we’re REALLY ineffective off corners. Which would have baffled previous iterations of this national team.
I thought that the. USMNT looked quite good. Shots/0n goal USA 11/5 to 8/4. Possession USA 67% corners USA 8 to 4. Pochettino should be pleased.
The Ecuadorian goalie is pretty good. Gonna take something special to get past him tonight it seems.
Well, we haven’t been opened up after the first goal. I do worry that the US scoring is more likely to be a happy accident than anything we earn
Or just high pressing and finally making a fucking play work.
That was good!
Alex Freeman might have more natural athleticism and be more positionally disciplined than Dest, but Christ, his touch is not elite
You know what, being frustrated that we couldn’t come back to beat Ecuador, and settle for a draw? Acceptable.
One takeaway, it will be good to get Pepi back in the fold, hopefully, cuz Balogun and him sharing the minutes is solid. The drop off after them is a cliff.
Wright is more effective as a cut from the left winger, not convinced by him down the middle. And anyone that mentions his WC “goal” didn’t watch the game, cuz it was only a goal in the most generous interpretation (incredibly lucky to get credit).
Although Weah isn’t a horrible option at CF
The post-game host woman declared it “was USA 1-1 over Ecuador,” so there’s that.