The U.S. controlled much of the match against a World Cup team, eventually getting the equalizer – but should have earned more
AUSTIN, Texas – There were moments early in the U.S. men's national team's friendly against Ecuador on Friday night that made you wonder "what if?"
What if Christian Pulisic was 90-minutes fit, getting the ball in some places where his teammates were wasting them? What if Tyler Adams was the one marshalling the midfield? What if Antonee Robinson was out on that left-hand side, whipping in balls that few in this player pool can?
By the end of the game, though, it was less "what if" and more "what could be." For months, Mauricio Pochettino discussed the importance of performance, culture and belief. All were on display as the USMNT offered a peek into what all of this could look like going forward.
"We are here talking about actions, concepts, formations, things like this now," Pochettino said. "After one year, I am so happy that we don't talk about other things like commitment, attitude or things that, in the past, we've had to talk bout. I think that is a massive step up. Whether we win or lose, that depends on the performance and if we are better. We now have to ensure that we are better than our opponents."
In the end, the U.S. weren't quite better, at least on the scoreboard, as it finished as a 1-1 draw. Despite that, though, the USMNT were certainly the team on the front foot. Playing in a version of their three-back system, Pochettino's side routinely created moments in dangerous spaces. They conceded a few, too, which is, ultimately, how Enner Valencia escaped from Chris Richards on the game's opening goal 24 minutes in.
From there, though, it seemed a matter of time. Folarin Balogun routinely broke free. Malik Tillman poked and prodded. Ultimately, those two connected on a 71st-minute equalizer, a close-range tap-in from the Monaco man that the USMNT will believe was more than earned. They were knocking on the door all night. Finally, Balogun was the one to kick it in.
"I'm so happy," Pochettino said. "I think the response was very good. I think we kept playing the way we wanted to play."
Balogun was the star of the show, but there were plenty of little bright spots throughout. Weston McKennie, making his USMNT return, put in a strong shift. So, too, did Tanner Tessmann, who grew into his role in an Adams-less midfield. By the time the cavalry, led by Pulisic, arrived late in the second half, it was a question of whether the U.S. could find the winner, although that ultimately never came.
"I felt like we dominated. They’re a dangerous team on transitions and dangerous when we gave them the opportunity to be dangerous off our own mistakes," McKennie told TNT. "With the World Cup coming around the corner, there’s a bit of urgency, and we want to get a group together that’s going to understand and how everyone moves, how everyone runs, passes, everything like that. I'm just happy we were able to get one back."
Disappointing draw? Yes, but Pochettino will surely feel it was OK. This was a solid performance, one that in which the U.S. stared down some adversity and, ultimately, come out as the better team, even if the scoreline didn't indicate it. Another sign of progress for a team that needs it, then, as Pochettino – who is now 10-7-2 in 19 matches in charge – continues to refine this squad on on the road to the World Cup.
“We are now in a better place than one year ago," Pochettino told TNT. "On the field we need to show that we are more mature, but off the field, we are improving a lot. When you build the principle off the field, it’s easier to translate on the field. As a group we are more mature. Now we have to show that on the pitch. The reality is that we want to win games.
“We have no roof. It’s about building that confidence… We have quality players and players who are starting to understand what we expect from them. And I think there’s still time to arrive in a very good condition for the World Cup.”
GOAL rates the USMNT players from Q2 Stadium.
Getty ImagesGoalkeeper & Defense
Matt Freese (5/10):
It wasn't a gimme, but it was the type of save that a No. 1 goalkeeper needs to make. Sometimes, if you're a No. 1, you need to bail out your defense, and Freese was unable to do that on Ecuador's big moment. He did have a strong catch on a late Ecuador chance but, at a World Cup level, all it takes is one to ruin a tournament.
Max Arfsten (5/10):
Showed signs of what he can do with the ball while also showing some of the concerns that come with his ability off of it. A good test for him against a high-level opponent and, in truth, he neither passed nor failed.
Tim Ream (6/10):
Steady and solid all night. Nothing incredible, but didn't need that as he generally kept things calm.
Chris Richards (5/10):
A rare miscue from him in a USMNT shirt. He was so close to recovering from it, too, but just couldn't quite push Valencia wide enough to make the difference on the goal. Almost scored minutes later to atone, though, so credit to him for that.
Miles Robinson (6/10):
Played in more of a right-back role with Weah pushed so high up the field. Did well to cover that space, although his first-half yellow card earned him an early substitution.
Tim Weah (6/10):
Was so free in his wingback role, but his big contribution came later when the U.S. switched up systems. Weah played his part in the equalizer, showing that he offers more than just pace on the outside.
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Tanner Tessman (7/10):
Had some nervy moments but, ultimately, was a difference-maker as he played in Tillman for the hockey assist on the equalizer. There were times when the USMNT lacked control early on, but he settled in nicely as the game went on.
Aidan Morris (5/10):
Can't fault him for the goal, as he was put into a spot where he had to gamble. Outside of that, though, he didn't quite provide control and there was one good USMNT attack in the first half killed off by a heavy pass.
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Weston McKennie (7/10):
Did the little things very well. Played a few fantastic passes and had some important defensive moments. Overall, a big game for a player who needed to show all of the things he can add to a team.
Malik Tillman (7/10):
Had a few moments in which he had the ball in dangerous areas, but could never quite find the space or the decisiveness to make much of them. That was until late, when he was able to set up Balogun for a tap-in on the equalizing goal.
Folarin Balogun (8/10):
An absolute menace all night. Could have, and almost certainly should have, had more than just the one goal. A big reminder of why he's the favorite to be the No. 9 next summer.
Getty ImagesSubs & Manager
Diego Luna (7/10):
Certainly added life to the game. You could sense that from the crowd the moment he stepped on.
Alex Freeman (6/10):
Saw a lot of the ball on that right-hand side as he continued to drive forward against Ecuador's defense.
Christian Pulisic (6/10):
Only touched the ball a handful of times, so not much he could do. Didn't start because of an aggravated ankle.
Mark McKenzie (5/10):
Seemingly lost a man on one Ecuador break, but Freese was there to make the play.
Cristian Roldan (6/10):
Was added to provide stability. Did that, despite not having to do too much.
Haji Wright (N/A):
Hardly got a touch of the ball during his late cameo.
Mauricio Pochettino (7/10):
Got just about everything right when you consider the injury issues. Will be generally pleased with the performance, and what it means for this group going forward as they continue to build toward the World Cup.