USA vs Ecuador: Time to build momentum for Stars and Stripes
by Bradley Gibbs | by Tyler Doty
The World Cup is now less than a year away. In fact, we’re only eight months out from one of the biggest sporting events to ever take place on US soil. In other words, time is running out for Mauricio Pochettino’s team to get things right.
USA vs Ecuador key details
Before we go any further, here are some key details ahead of the US men’s team’s next fixture, including the 26-player squad list:
As we can see from the above, the first game to be played by the US men’s national team during the current international window will be against Ecuador. This fixture will take place at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas. Kick-off details for this fixture and the second game against Australia are also shown above.
What does recent form tell us?
OK, so what happened when the US boys were last in action on the field? Let us look at recent results:
- USA 2 - 0 Japan (Friendly)
- USA 0 - 2 South Korea (Friendly)
- USA 1 - 2 Mexico (Gold Cup)
- USA 2 - 1 Guatemala (Gold Cup)
When we last saw Pochettino’s team in action, they got the better of the Japanese, winning by two goals to zero at Lower.Com Field in Columbus, Ohio. All in all, that effort was a pleasing one. Offensively, they created plenty, scored two well-worked goals and kept a clean sheet. Nothing really to complain about.
The trouble is that such efforts have been few and far between. Just a few days before that, Pochettino’s boys looked all over the place defensively, while they were wasteful in attack, losing by two goals to zero against the South Koreans. In truth, this sort of effort is more in keeping with what we’ve seen from the US since Pochettino replaced Gregg Berhalter last year.
The US has struggled to match their Mexican counterparts.
Before losing to South Korea, the US men’s team lost the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final to Mexico, going down by two goals to one, which suggests a narrow defeat. Realistically, though, the gap between the pair was sizable, with the Stars and Stripes struggling to match the Mexicans, especially in possession.
Ultimately, what the recent form of the US men’s national team tells us is that things need to improve if they’re to make any serious headway at the 2026 renewal of the FIFA World Cup, and there really can be no denying that.
Sure, we know this is a talented bunch, and we know that Pochettino has the tools at his disposal to hurt plenty of teams, but when push comes to shove, and the heat is on, can the Stars and Stripes really compete? I’m not convinced.
Players to watch against Ecuador
Since the last international break, there are a few USMNT players who have been in hot form domestically. Watch out for the following:
Haji Wright
If the US are going to make any sort of headway at the FIFA World Cup next year, then they’re going to need Haji Wright in hot form, and that’s exactly what the Coventry City man has been in of late.
Since the last international break, Wright has been tearing it up in the English Championship, scoring no less than eight goals this season, notching three in his last two. Interestingly, during the current season, no Championship player has scored more goals than Wright, who averages a chunky 1.07 goals per 90 minutes.
Pochettino will be hoping that the forward can continue his purple patch while on US shores, and if he can, then there’s a real chance that the Stars and Stripes can start to build some serious offensive momentum.
Alejandro Zendejas
Another player that Pochettino will undoubtedly be looking to as a difference maker is Alejandro Zendejas, who has been enjoying himself in Liga MX for Club America, scoring five goals and producing three assists in 12 appearances this season.
Unlike Wright, who was not involved in either of the September friendlies, Zendejas created a very positive impression for the USMNT against the Japanese, scoring a fine goal. He’s since netted four in five for his club and is fast becoming a go-to offensive player for Pochettino, who will surely use these upcoming friendlies as a chance to get the 27-year-old bedded in as a key player in the final third.
