"With under a year to go until the 2026 World Cup, the United States will use an international friendly with Ecuador in Texas on October 11 to sharpen their squad ahead of next summer's finals. Both nations have already booked places for the tournament, so this fixture is about fine-tuning roles, testing options and giving fringe players a chance to stake a claim. As co-hosts with Mexico and Canada, the USA can afford to experiment and focus on selection as much as results."
"Mauricio Pochettino's tenure has produced mixed outcomes since he arrived last September - 11 wins from 18 matches - and the recent window brought a 2-0 win over Japan followed by a 2-0 reverse to South Korea. History favours the hosts: the USMNT have beaten Ecuador in each of the last three meetings and are unbeaten in their last four clashes. Across 15 meetings the sides are evenly matched overall, five wins apiece and five draws - which suggests this friendly could swing either way."
"Ecuador have been on the rise under Sebastian Beccacece, who was appointed before the US named Pochettino. The Argentine has built a disciplined, defensively solid team. In his first 12 matche,s Ecuador picked up five wins and suffered only one defeat, conceding just two goals in that stretch. La Tri finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying behind Argentina despite a three-point deduction, and they closed their campaign with a notable home win over the reigning world champions"
The United States will play Ecuador in an October 11 friendly in Texas to sharpen the squad ahead of the 2026 World Cup. Both teams have qualified, so the match prioritises fine-tuning roles, testing options and giving fringe players opportunities. Co-host status with Mexico and Canada allows the USA to experiment and focus on selection. Mauricio Pochettino has produced mixed results since last September, with 11 wins from 18 matches and recent results of a 2-0 win over Japan and a 2-0 loss to South Korea. Ecuador have risen under Sebastian Beccacece, showing defensive discipline, strong qualifying form and a notable home win over the reigning world champions. Christian Pulisic leads the US attack after a purple patch for AC Milan, with nine goal contributions in his last ten appearances. Antonee Robinson and Weston McKennie return, Haji Wright and Aidan Morris are included, and Johnny Cardoso misses out.
Read at 101GREATGOALS.COM
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