Pochettino praises U.S. fight after 1-1 draw in Austin

The United States men’s nationalist squad battled to a 1-1 gully with Ecuador connected Friday nighttime astatine Q2 Stadium successful Austin, Texas, acknowledgment to a determined second-half show and a composed decorativeness from Folarin Balogun.

Trailing aboriginal aft Enner Valencia scored for Ecuador successful the 24th minute, the Americans regrouped aft halftime. A surge successful tempo and creativity paid disconnected successful the 71st infinitesimal erstwhile Malik Tillman acceptable up Balogun, whose objective onslaught secured the equalizer.

“We were truthful brave successful trying to spell forward, trying to find the space,” said U.S. manager Mauricio Pochettino. “Ecuador is simply a precise carnal team. With calm and patience, we were capable to find the gaps and situation them. I deliberation we improved successful the 2nd fractional and dominated the crippled successful each aspects.”

Balogun, who plays for AS Monaco, impressed his manager with some his finishing and enactment rate. “So happy,” Pochettino said. “A striker needs to consciousness the net, and his enactment ethic is amazing. He’s ever available, with and without the ball. I’m truthful pleased with his performance.”

The gully extended Ecuador’s unbeaten streak, which dates backmost to September 2024, portion the U.S. continued to amusement advancement aft a mixed summertime campaign.

Injury setbacks and lineup concerns

The nighttime was not without its setbacks. Alejandro Zendejas of Club América suffered a insignificant genu wounded during grooming and volition instrumentality to Mexico City, ruling him retired of Tuesday’s affable against Australia. “It’s not a large issue, but he’s not going to beryllium disposable for the adjacent game,” Pochettino said.

Antonee Robinson, recovering from May surgery, besides missed the lucifer and remains nether evaluation. Meanwhile, Christian Pulisic came disconnected the seat for the last 17 minutes arsenic helium continues to retrieve from an ankle problem.

“We’ll spot if helium tin beryllium disposable again connected Tuesday,” Pochettino said.

The United States present holds a win, a draw, and a nonaccomplishment since falling to Mexico successful the Gold Cup final. Pochettino’s squad volition wrapper up the twelvemonth with November friendlies against Paraguay and Uruguay, looking to physique connected its improving form.