The USA enters the penultimate international break of 2025 looking to build on a promising win against Japan last month. That outcome saw the Americans bounce back after a disappointing loss to South Korea. While Japan went with a b-team, the USMNT showed determination and resilience after a poor performance in their previous match. The team will welcome Ecuador to Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas for the first of two friendlies in this October FIFA window.
Ecuador should provide stiff competition for
the USA. The CONMEBOL nation emerged through possibly the most grueling World Cup qualification process of any confederation to reach the World Cup. La Tri beat Argentina 1-0 in the last international break to qualify and that process has honed both the roster and tactics that the team will bring to the tournament.
The team sets out to be defensively organized while playing direct, counter attacking soccer. And it works, Ecuador allowed 5 goals in 18 games through qualification. Five. That said, the team will be missing the key to its stalwart defense in terms of midfielders with Moisés Caicedo missing this window. However, Champions League champion center back Willian Pacho has made the trip from Paris.
This spells out a pretty clear and well worn task for the USMNT: breakdown a defensive minded team and don’t fall behind. Obviously, this is no easy task as breaking a solid defense down might be the most difficult thing to do in a soccer match. Space will be limited and it will be up to technical players to either beat opponents one v. one or to create passing lanes and find opportunities in confined areas. Again, not easy.
However, in the recent win against Japan, Mauricio Pochettino went with a 3-4-3 lineup and it worked to the Americans’ advantage. Poch might have the same thing in mind in this window having called in five center backs and three wingbacks. The result was positive as goals from Alex Zendejas and Folarin Balogun scored for the Americans among the 19 chances created.
Japan also fielded a second choice roster and while Ecuador is missing key players, La Tri will be also using the match as a test against the type of opponent it will face in the World Cup. The game will provide Poch a chance to evaluate how the new set up, if he goes with it again, fares versus a difficult opponent. Central midfield also seems to be a focus of how the roster was chosen for this window as more defensive minded and versatile players like Christian Roldan, Aidan Morris, and James Sands were selected.
The players and their manager showed positive signs to finish the last window strong. Poch changed tactics and the team was up for the task taking home a win. It’s not only time for the team to build momentum, it’s also time for players to step up and claim the starting roles that are up for grabs ahead of the tournament. This window should further narrow down the player pool and give Poch more of an idea of who fits what he wants to do in the World Cup. His job will be that much easier with a strong performance against Ecuador on Friday night.
