The United States Men’s National Team
Christian Pulisic did not start the match but was in uniform after head coach Mauricio Pochettino announced during the pregame show that he was dealing with an ankle
issue. That issue forced him to miss practice on Thursday. Antonee Robinson and Alex Zendejas, who also missed Thursday’s practice, did not dress for the United States.
The first half started with Ecuador on the front foot early with a couple of chances in the fourth and fifth minute. The USMNT countered with a couple of corners in the sixth and seventh minute. The first one saw Chris Richards get a head on the ball, but it was deflected over the crossbar. Folarin Balogun was able to get the ball on the break a few times in the first time, the first coming in the eighth minute. However, his shot was saved by Ecuador goalkeeper Hernán Galindez.
The action continued, with the USMNT getting some shots via the corner kick, but they weren’t able to get the ball on net. In the 24th minute, Ecuador struck first. John Yeboah got the ball and made a terrific pass through the heart of the midfield to Enner Valencia, who made a quick move to get past defender Chris Richards and free himself. He got into the right side of the box and fired a shot that zoomed past Matt Freese into the goal to make it 1-0.
The USMNT had a great chance to equalize jut a couple minutes later after yet another corner. Malik Tillman’s corner goes through the box and Chris Richards gets a hold of it on the half volley. Galindez made a point blank save to preserve the Ecuador lead.
The action continued in the 37th minute, as Max Arfsten tried to send the ball into the box from the left wing. The ball bounced off a couple Ecuadorian players and towards the goal. Galindez had to make the brilliant diving save to prevent what would have been an incredible own goal. The rebound came to Balogun, but he wasn’t able to get a foot on it to put it back on frame.
The USMNT had one more chance before halftime to equalize, as Wes McKennie fed Folarin Balogun on the break once again. Balogun got into the box and held up long enough to feed a streaking Aidan Morris with the pass. Morris takes a one-timed shot, but it deflected off Tim Weah, who was right in front of him, and out of bounds. Ecuador went to the halftime break carrying the 1-0 lead over the United States.
The second half started and the USMNT got a chance five minutes into it. Malik Tillman was pushed to the ground by defender Willian Pacho right on the edge of the penalty area, but the referee decides to let play continue. The ball bounced around and ended up with Balogun on the right side, who sent a cross into the 6 yard box. Hernán Galindez was able to send it away, but USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino was not happy about the no-call on the Tillman contact.
In the 71st minute, the USMNT finally got on the board. Tim Weah got the play started by passing from the right flank to Tanner Tessman. Tessman calmly fed Malik Tillman inside the box, who fired a great pass to Balogun. Balogun’s redirection hit one post and rolled lengthways across the goal line to level the score at 1-1.
Just after the goal, the crowd finally got to see Christian Pulisic enter the match for Tim Weah. However, Colombia got another chance to take the lead just a couple minutes later. Yaimar Medina sent a lovely cross into the penalty from the left wing, and it prompted Matt Freese to dive off his line to beat the streaking Angelo Preciado and collect the ball before damage could be done.
The teams had a couple more chances late in the match, but neither were able to get the game-winner and the match ended with a 1-1 draw.
The USMNT are back in action on Tuesday when they take on Australia to close out the October international window at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in suburban Denver.
