{"id":204907,"date":"2025-10-11T10:13:13","date_gmt":"2025-10-11T10:13:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/204907\/"},"modified":"2025-10-11T10:13:13","modified_gmt":"2025-10-11T10:13:13","slug":"mauricio-pochettino-praises-usmnt-star-team-attitude-in-ecuador-draw","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ca\/204907\/","title":{"rendered":"Mauricio Pochettino Praises USMNT Star, Team Attitude in Ecuador Draw"},"content":{"rendered":"

If fans want to quibble with the performance from the U.S. men\u2019s national team, which showed emotion and desire on Friday night in their 1\u20131 draw with Ecuador at Austin FC\u2019s Q2 Stadium, Mauricio Pochettino is completely fine with it.<\/p>\n

Unlike much of his first year at the helm<\/a> of the USMNT<\/a>, the focus following the draw with the 17th-ranked South American side wasn\u2019t on the passion from those wearing the red, white and blue, but the soccer product.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are here talking about actions, concepts, formations and things like this,\u201d Pochettino told reporters post-match. \u201cAfter one year, I am so happy that we don\u2019t talk about other things like commitment, attitude\u2014things like this that in the past we were talking [about]. I think that\u2019s a massive step up.\u201d<\/p>\n

Enner Valencia opened the scoring for Ecuador in the 24th minute, but the USMNT found their way back to level terms as Malik Tillman set up Folarin Balogun for the equalizing goal<\/a> at the 71st minute mark.\u00a0<\/p>\n

FOLARIN FINDS THE EQUALIZER! #USMNT<\/a> x @VW<\/a> pic.twitter.com\/hshC18uxPA<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 U.S. Soccer Men’s National Team (@USMNT) October 11, 2025<\/a><\/p>\n

Not only was it a goal, but one from two players who should rank among the USMNT\u2019s best. That\u2019s crucial if the Americans hope to have their most talented players in top form come the 2026 FIFA World Cup, which they will host alongside Canada and Mexico.\u00a0<\/p>\n

For Balogun, it also made him one of only two players to debut for the USMNT in 1995 or later with a goal contribution in 11 of his first 17 starts.<\/p>\n

While AC Milan superstar Christian Pulisic<\/a> only played 17 min<\/a>utes<\/a> due to a slight ankle injury, and Fulham left back Antonee Robinson did not make his anticipated return,<\/a> the USMNT showed effort and heart throughout the entire match.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Yet, AS Monaco\u2019s Balogun stepped up as needed, alongside other key performers, including Juventus\u2019 Weston McKennie<\/a>, Atl\u00e9tico Madrid\u2019s Tanner Tessman and Middlesbrough\u2019s Aidan Morris, who were all returning after spells away from the national team picture.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cThe performance was a very, very serious performance, very professional,\u201d Pochettino added, before going on to praise Balogun\u2019s effort. \u201cHis work ethic is amazing, with and without the ball, I\u2019m so pleased with his performance.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"Alex<\/p>\n

Alex Zendejas was a bright spot in September for the USMNT but has returned to Liga MX side, Club Am\u00e9rica. \/ Vincent Carchietta-Imagn Images<\/p>\n

While Pulisic was able to play a few minutes in the match, he continues to nurse a slight ankle injury. Meanwhile, Robinson suffered an ailment earlier in the week and did not dress.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Both, however, remain in contention for Tuesday\u2019s match at Dick\u2019s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado, when the USMNT face off against Australia, who beat Canada 1\u20130 on Friday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The most prominent injury among the group is forward Alex Zendejas, who was held out due to a knee injury and will return to Club Am\u00e9rica in Liga MX to continue his recovery.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cHe has a small issue in his knee \u2014 the back of his knee. It\u2019s not a big issue, but he\u2019s not going to be available,\u201d Pochettino said of Zendejas, before adding an update on Robinson. \u201cWe\u2019ll see tomorrow if he can train [ahead of next game]. Today, he wasn\u2019t available.\u201d<\/p>\n

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