The United States Men’s National Team is back in action for another pair of friendlies after splitting results last month against South Korea (0-2) and Japan (2-0). Ecuador and Australia are next on the schedule, providing crucial competition as next summer’s tournament looms large on the approaching horizon. The first opponent qualified for a second consecutive World Cup and fifth since the 2002 edition, looking to improve on the Round of 16 appearance in 2006. Austin, Texas’ Q2 Stadium, a 20,500-seat
soccer-specific stadium with a Platinum TE seashore paspalum surface, will host.
This is the 16th all-time meeting between the two nations, with the series knotted at a 5-5-5 deadlock and the USMNT claiming the most recent match-up in a 2019 friendly (1-0). Ranked 24th internationally by FIFA, Ecuador reached the World Cup with an impressive second-place finish in CONMEBOL’s qualifying table, despite carrying a three-point deduction after deploying an ineligible player during the 2022 campaign. With an 8-2-8 record, La Tri (The Tri) picked up impressive victories over Uruguay, Colombia, and Argentina.
Sebastián Beccacece was appointed to the manager position in August of last year, replacing Félix Sánchez Bas after the Copa América and signing a contract until 2030. The 44-year-old Argentine gained significant experience working as an assistant under Jorge Sampaoli before taking the reins at Universidad de Chile, Defensa y Justicia, Independiente, Racing Club, and, most recently, Elche, building a reputation for “his tactical ability and innovative approach.” In addition to establishing a “clear identity,” he has earned praise for enabling the players to be “more comfortable and freer to showcase their games.”
Beccacece named a 28-player roster for the international window that also features a match against Mexico. The domestic Serie A is home to six of the call-ups, while 15 talents are on the books at various European clubs. Notable absences include Piero Hincapié, Moisés Caicedo, and Gonzalo Plata.
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GOALKEEPERS (4): Hernán Galíndez (Huracán), Moisés Ramírez (Kifisia), Gonzalo Valle (LDU Quito), Cristhian Loor (Botafogo)
DEFENDERS (8): Ángelo Preciado (Sparta Prague), Pervis Estupiñán (Milan), Félix Torres (Corinthians), Willian Pacho (Paris Saint-Germain), Cristian Ramírez (Lokomotiv Moscow), Xavier Arreaga (Barcelona), Joel Ordóñez (Club Brugge), Jhoanner Chávez (Lens)
MIDFIELDERS (11): Alan Franco (Atlético Mineiro), Kendry Páez (Strasbourg), Alan Minda (Cercle Brugge), John Yeboah (Venezia), Pedro Vite (UNAM), Jordy Alcívar (Independiente del Valle), Yaimar Medina (Genk), Denil Castillo (Midtjylland), Darwin Guagua (Independiente del Valle), Patrik Mercado (Independiente del Valle), Bryan Ramírez (LDU Quito)
FORWARDS (5): Enner Valencia (Pachuca), Kevin Rodríguez (Union Saint-Gilloise), Leonardo Campana (New England Revolution), Nilson Angulo (Anderlecht), John Mercado (Sparta Prague)
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Lately, Beccacece deploys a 4-2-3-1 formation but will shift throughout the match and seeks to play a balanced game, with a particular focus on a stout and stingy defensive structure. The “strict technician” demands “physical fitness” so that his players “can push,” expecting to “win the ball back at the exact moment and place it was lost.” He also endeavors to control proceedings with a heavy possession game and working out of the back, instilled from his detail-oriented and meticulous approach that is countered by his “mother’s heart” and close relationship to his charges.
The veteran Hernán Galíndez was forced to adapt his game under the new manager, asked to operate as another centre-back by “playing outside of the area, never throwing the ball up, and prioritizing the attack with wide wingers.” The 38-year-old Huracán goalkeeper is a shot stopper by trade and utilizes any available body part in order to keep the ball out of the net, with a habit of pushing away attempts instead of making catches. Standing at six feet, two inches tall, he is quick to get to the ground and constantly adjusts his positioning when searching for the correct angle or beating the opponent to opportunities. His experience and big-play ability have made him a favorite and enabled him to deliver big results, providing a steely confidence as his team continues to grind out tight wins and draws.
The “defensive dynamo” Willian Pacho enjoyed a historic first season with Paris Saint-Germain, starting every match during the Champions League and becoming the only Ecuadorian to win the competition. He boasts “intelligence and aerial dominance,” displaying “the ability to play out the back and lines with precise passing” while also “carrying the ball” and “excelling [at making recoveries] in the attacking half.” The mobile Félix Torres covers the width of the field and can play on the inside and outside of the line, deftly darting through the crowd and making the occasional venture forward. The 28-year-old Corinthians centre-back plays a physical game and throws himself into one-on-one challenges with relish, making crucial interventions around his own box and quickly starting the transition. Barcelona SC’s Xavier Arreaga has yet to feature under Beccacece but consistently makes the match-day squad, with the manager justifying his continued call-ups as “part of a process” and “important.” While undersized, his heat map covers the length and width of the field with impassioned and aggressive play, thrusting himself into the action and moving into advanced areas in order to claim possession.
AC Milan’s Pervis Estupiñán will chase down opponents for as long as necessary until regaining possession, hits stellar long-distance distribution, and terrorizes opponents in the final third. He has an endless motor and inserts himself into any and all situations, whether sliding in for a tackle or taking on a creative role in the final third that sees him whirling and waiting for the right pass. Emerging talent Joel Ordóñez stepped into a starting role last November, with the versatility to deploy in multiple roles, using his imposing six feet, two inches tall frame to overwhelm smaller wingers. The 21-year-old Club Brugge defender “always looks secure and comfortable on the ball” and excels at claiming headers, rising above the crowd and contorting his body in order to dominate his area. Ángelo Preciado returned to the squad after dealing with significant rehabilitation from “surgery on the meniscus in his knee,” regaining his status as a Swiss Army knife along the right flank. His dynamism, pace, and crossing make him a dangerous attacking option, with Total Football Analysis also pointing to “late runs into the box that make him a goal threat as well.”
Alan Franco of Atlético Mineiro slots into multiple positions and does his best work when linking up with teammates, forming connections all over the formation and crafting quick combinations in order to break out of the deeper areas. Described as “cement” due to his ability to close up holes, observers praise his physical nature, ball protection, and “good legs” that enable him to “go strong into challenges” and never “give an inch.” Pedro Vite has seen his fortunes rise under the new manager, going from the outskirts to a regular inclusion in the starting lineup, thriving with the “freedom” of a floating role. The 23-year-old from Babahoyo is praised for his “great vision and excellent range,” with “speed [that is] effective in counter-attacking situations” and a “tenaciousness to hold his own in battles.” For another attacking option, John Yeboah is capable of deploying at the ten, winger, and as a striker but contributed a paltry one goal and two assists in his debut Serie A season with Venezia. The former Germany youth international makes aggressive runs and manages to absorb contact while slaloming through the crowd, finding the necessary yard of space for a quick shot or slip pass. Independiente del Valle’s Patrik Mercado picked up his first senior cap with a 30-second cameo in September’s scoreless draw with Paraguay, an initial step for the “sensation of [the domestic league]” who is attracting worldwide transfer interest. Target Scouting notes his “versatility” and “very nice technique,” being “always in control of the ball in small spaces” while “delaying his pass to open up more options,” with the added benefit of increased scoring this season.
Alan Minda is a “dynamic winger who loves to run behind the backline and break into space” or “dribble at an opposing fullback and help break through the defense with his technical ability.” Whether on his natural right side or inverted, the 22-year-old Cercle Brugge attacker is a fierce progressor into the final third and cuts inside before attempting to pick out the lower corner of the net. Kendry Páez is the program’s bright young star who joined Chelsea last summer after initially signing in June of 2023, earning rave reviews for his “quality on the ball” and playmaking instincts. Urban Pitch notes his combination of “creativity, vision, and maturity far beyond his years,” on display when “controlling the tempo of the match” with tight turns and audacious machinations. Nilson Angulo is on the cusp of a true breakout with Anderlecht after several seasons splitting time between the first team and the reserves, which should coincide with next summer’s World Cup. His impressive two-way game sees him registering regular tackles and constantly progressing forward with driving solo runs, often taking a pause in order to draw the fullback before blitzing past him.
The talismanic Enner Valencia is only a few seasons removed from his explosive 33-goal campaign with Fenerbahçe and continues to be the top dog for his country with six finishes during qualifying. The 35-year-old Pachuca striker is Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer with a physical running style, controlled dribbling, and a knack for finding the ball in opportune areas of the box. He is the human incarnate of total war by forcing the game to opponents, making darting runs in the channels or into space on the counter, drilling powerful shots, and constantly winning aerial battles. Eventually, time will dull his abilities and necessitate different options, but his penchant for performing in the biggest moments and willingness to set up teammates keep him in the spotlight. For another option, particularly in a two-player front line, Kevin Rodríguez possesses the size at six feet, three inches tall and the pace to cause problems, fulfilling some target duties and racing around the width of the field. Despite a single conversion in his limited and sporadic minutes during Union Saint-Gilloise’s title-winning season, his hold-up play, tireless work rate, and progression make him a valuable addition to the squad.
The USMNT needs quality competition ahead of the World Cup, and, thus far, the fall friendly slate has delivered a spread of opponents with varying tactics and player pools. Ecuador had a wildly successful qualifying campaign and punched a ticket with several rounds to spare, avoiding costly losses and grinding out results. For this particularly fixture, wins and losses are irrelevant, but the experience could pay dividends next summer.
The match is scheduled for Friday, October 10th at 8:30 p.m. Eastern, 5:30 p.m. Pacific. Viewing options include TNT, truTV, Max, Universo, Peacock, and FUBO TV (free trial).
