With less than a year remaining until the 2026 World Cup, the United States will use its friendly international match with Ecuador in Texas on October 11 to hone its squad before next summer’s finals.
Both countries have already booked places for the tournament, so this match is about improving roles, testing options and giving fringe players a chance to stake a claim.
As co-host with Mexico and Canada, the United States can experiment and focus on choice as much as on results.
Mauricio Pochettino’s tenure has produced mixed results since his arrival last September – 11 wins from 18 matches – with the last window featuring a 2-0 win over Japan followed by a 2-0 loss to South Korea.
History is on the hosts’ side: USMNT has beaten Ecuador in each of the last three meetings and is unbeaten in the last four. Across 15 meetings, the two teams have been generally evenly matched, with five wins and five draws each – suggesting this friendly match could swing either way.
Ecuador was on the rise under Sebastian Becasese, who was appointed by the United States as Pochettino.
The Argentine has built a disciplined and defensively strong team. In the first 12 matches, Ecuador achieved five victories and suffered only one defeat, conceding only two goals in that period.
Lattre’s side finished second in the South American qualifiers behind Argentina despite a three-point deduction, and finished their campaign with a notable home win over the world champions.
Team news for the USA vs. Ecuador match
Mauricio Pochettino has selected a strong squad for the friendlies, with Christian Pulisic leading the attack after a purple patch of form with Milan.
Pulisic has been heavily involved in the scoring lately, contributing nine goals in his last 10 games, and he will be one of the key players to watch in Arlington.
Anthony Robinson and Weston McKennie return to bolster the squad, while Haji Wright and Aidan Morris have been included after eyeing a place in the World Cup squad.
Johnny Cardoso is absent due to an ankle problem, and veteran goalkeeper Matt Turner is called up to the national team.
Ecuador will be without midfield engine Moises Caicedo, who is on leave, while Piero Hincapie and Gonzalo Plata are also absent.
However, their defense is still formidable with Willian Pacho and Pervis Estopinan among the backline options.
Up front, Ener Valencia is expected to lead the attack after scoring six goals during the qualifiers and finishing as Ecuador’s top scorer.
The expected formation for the match between the United States and Ecuador
USA: turner; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; McKinney, Roldan; Pulisic, Zendejas, Arvesten; Balogun
Ecuador: Gallinity. Usually, Torres, Pacho, is stupid; Veit, Franco; pay, yeboah, mind; Enery Valencia
How to watch the USA-Ecuador match: TV channel, stream online
The friendly match will take place on Friday, October 11 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, with the match kicking off at 8:00pm local time (01:00 GMT).
In the United States, the match is typically carried by national broadcasters such as FOX Sports and Telemundo, with streaming available on services such as FuboTV and Peacock or via official streaming apps.
United States and Ecuador match statistics
- The United States has won All of the last three Meetings with Ecuador and they have not lost in the last four direct confrontations
- Defeat 15 meetings The record is balanced, with both teams recording five wins and finishing five games level
- Under Mauricio Pochettino, the United States achieved just that They lost four of their last 10 matches In all competitions
- Ecuador has He lost only once in 12 Matches since Sebastian Becasese took charge
- All three He conceded only two goals In Beccacci’s first 12 matches at the helm
- Ecuador has They have won only one of the last 10 away matches, a statistic that underscores their mixed away record
prediction
Ecuador’s defensive organization under Becasese makes them difficult to break down, and their away record suggests they will be difficult to beat. The US has plenty of offensive talent and a home advantage, but inconsistency means they are more likely to finish level rather than win outright.
Prediction: USA 1-1 Ecuador
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