AUSTIN, Texas — At first glance, the term “tale of two halves” doesn’t seem appropriate to describe Friday’s 1-1 draw between the U.S. men’s national team and Ecuador. The U.S. had a sizable possession advantage throughout, created good chances, and dominated La Tri for long stretches. But looking from a different angle, it is applicable.

In the first half, even as the U.S. controlled the tempo (64.4% vs. 35.6% possession), it was Ecuador that controlled a key area. They made more of the little plays that mattered. That ability is in line with their recent history. They are a side that have ridden defensive solidity, excellent goalkeeping when needed, and an opportunistic attack to finish second in World Cup qualifying behind reigning champions Argentina. Along the way, La Tri conceded a miniscule five goals in 18 matches. While 14 goals scored isn’t exactly prolific, it proved to be enough to qualify for their sixth-straight World Cup.

In this match, for a half at any rate, Ecuador checked every one of those boxes. The defense was adept at constricting space, deflecting passes, and forcing the U.S. into blind alleys. On the rare occasions when the U.S. broke through, goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez was there to deliver a pair of outstanding saves, including a deflection off the post from a Chris Richards shot in the 26th minute.

In attack, Ecuador punished the U.S. with a transition goal in the 24th minute. U.S. midfielder Aidan Morris came up empty when he tried to jump on a transition pass to Jordy Alcivar, and Ecuador midfielder’s subsequent feed to Enner Valencia allowed the Pachuca striker to get into a one-vs.-one situation against Richards, which he made the most of to fire home a shot just inside Matt Freese’s far post.

That play, full of little victories that turned into a critical sequence, defined the first half.

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In the second half, the U.S. reversed the trend. It defended with more composure, upped the tempo in attack and scored a goal off the press in a play that featured Tim Weah, Tanner Tessmann and Malik Tillman, and ended with Folarin Balogun scoring off Tillman’s centering feed. The U.S. did what it could to find a winner, but couldn’t break through again.

That said, it was a performance that reflected well on the USMNT, even if the scoreline wasn’t entirely satisfying. It showed plenty of dynamism in attack, with Tillman and Weston McKennie using plenty of clever touches to find Balogun in the kind of spaces behind a defense in which he thrives. Defensively, it looked solid in a formation that echoed the approach in the Gold Cup, where it played with a fluid back line that often defended with four players, but allowed left back Max Arfsten to be tilted higher up the field.

But among the more encouraging aspects of the match was the U.S.’s ability to win more of the little battles in the second half, and turn them into critical plays. Establishing that habit is a vital piece to achieving success in the 2026 World Cup next summer. In that kind of competition, the teams are so evenly matched, especially in the knockout rounds, that it is often little details that are the difference between advancing deep into the tournament and getting an early ticket home.

For much of this calendar year, at least in matches involving most of the first-choice squad, the U.S. wasn’t making those little plays. Friday’s match, as well as last month’s encounter against Japan showed a side more able to come out on top in those sequences.

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USMNT hosts Ecuador in friendly, draws 1-1

In case you missed it, the USMNT battled back for a 1-1 draw with Ecuador on Friday.

How the U.S. did that is open to interpretation, but suffice it to say, it’s multifaceted. The U.S is at last playing with the kind of energy and desire that manager Mauricio Pochettino demands, as evidenced by the USMNT winning 53.4% of its duels, 73.3% of tackles and 65.0% of aerial challenges. That creates a platform for more effective attacking play. For Pochettino, that development is almost a relief.

“I’m so happy that we don’t talk about other things like commitment, attitude or things that like this, that normally in the past we were,” the U.S. manager said afterward. “I think that is massive step up … If we are better and we show that we are better than our opponent, we can win. If we don’t show that, it’s because it’s a soccer problem.”

He added: “We showed great mentality and that is in the way that we want to build to the World Cup.”

But this is also a team that looks to be gaining some comfort with Pochettino’s system. It certainly has taken some time — far longer than expected when Pochettino took over the program 12 months ago — but that long sought-after cohesion is now progressing, and the team’s confidence is growing. The U.S. is playing more instinctually, rather than overthinking situations.

“If you’re thinking of, ‘Oh, I have to move here or I have to move here,’ then all of a sudden you start to think more [rather] than just doing,” U.S. defender Tim Ream said. “And now all of a sudden you see it; the ideas are taking hold and so now everyone’s just doing and able to really just give everything at all times.”

Combined with U.S. team’s high level of fitness — long a strong suit of the side — and you have a team that can gain the upper hand and maintain that advantage as well. For Ream, that started to show in the second half, not so much in physically overpowering their opponents, but in slowly wearing them down. It creates a snowball effect where every challenge won feeds the team with more energy.

“We started to make more of the plays. We started to look the fresher team as the game wore on,” he said. “And listen, as someone who has been on the other side of that, you know and you smell that. You’re like, ‘OK, these guys are starting to flag, they’re starting to be a little bit gassed,’ and you actually feel more energized and it allows you to get on top of them more and start making more little plays, being connected better. I think we were connected pretty well in the first half, but I think even closer connections in the second half. I’ll tell you what, it takes a toll on teams, and it did today.”

That improvement, from tactics to mentality to fitness to execution, is even more impressive when you consider who was missing. Alejandro Zendejas, so inspiring against Japan, sat out the match with a knee injury that already has him on his way back to club side Club America; Antonee Robinson, whose return to the USMNT fold figured to give the side a huge boost, didn’t make the gameday roster; Christian Pulisic was reduced to a 17-minute cameo off the bench; Tyler Adams (his partner is about to have a baby) and Sergiño Dest (injured) didn’t even make the roster.

The U.S. is without a doubt a better team with those players. Pochettino has a challenge on his hands in determining who will make his World Cup roster and who will get on the field once that’s decided. But, given where this team has been, and the progress it is making, it’s the kind of puzzle he’ll be more than happy to try to solve.

Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton is a target for Manchester United, while Real Madrid are ramping up their interest in Chelsea midfielder Enzo Fernández. Join us for the latest transfer news and rumors from around the globe.

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TRENDING RUMORS

– Manchester United are plotting a £60 million bid to sign Crystal Palace midfielder Adam Wharton, according to the Daily Star. With United boss Ruben Amorim keen to bolster his options in the middle of the park, the 21-year-old has emerged as a leading candidate. Kobbie Mainoo and Casemiro are expected to leave Old Trafford in the long term, leaving a massive hole in midfield that a player of Wharton’s quality could soon fill. The Red Devils previously looked at Brighton and Hove Albion star Carlos Baleba, but a reported transfer valuation north of £100 million looks to have cooled their interest.

– Real Madrid have also been linked with Wharton but are now “ramping up” their interest in Chelsea and Argentina midfielder Enzo Fernández, says Football Insider. Any potential transfer will hinge upon Fernández’s desire to make the move, as an offer in excess of £100 million could bring Chelsea to the negotiation table. Los Blancos are also monitoring his teammate Moisés Caicedo, who has caught the eye this season in the Premier League.

– FC Porto striker Samu Aghehowa is on Tottenham Hotspur’s radar, according to a report from TEAMtalk. With Thomas Frank’s current striking options, Dominic Solanke and Randal Kolo Muani, blighted by injuries, the club are on the lookout for reinforcements. Aghehowa, 21, has already scored five goals in seven league games this season, underlining why the likes of Chelsea and Newcastle United were heavily linked with him throughout the summer.

– Chelsea are stepping up their interest in Barcelona center back Ronald Araújo and could launch a bid in the future, Football Insider reports. With a host of defenders out due to injury, Chelsea manager Enzo Maresca is keen to add some quality at the back. According to the report, a future move for Araújo, while difficult to agree, may be aided by Barcelona’s ongoing financial issues.

– Juventus could explore a move for Al Hilal star Sergej Milinković-Savić in January, Tuttosport has revealed. The Serbia international is reported to be keen on a return to Europe, and more specifically to Italy, as he previously stood out for Lazio. Juventus will have to let players go in order secure a deal for a transfer fee, but they could also wait until next summer when the 30-year-old’s contract expires.

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OTHER RUMORS

– Real Madrid want to land Manchester City striker Erling Haaland and are ready to let forward Vinicius Junior, 25, depart for a world-record fee (of over €222 million) to make it happen. (Caught Offside)

– Barcelona are “ecstatic” with Marcus Rashford‘s development on loan from Man United and are ready to sign him permanently for an initial €30 million. (Sun)

– Bayer Leverkusen have a genuine interest in Djurgarden midfielder Matias Siltanen. The 18-year-old has also been linked with a move to Manchester City in recent weeks. (Nicolo Schira)

– Bayern Munich are ready to hand defender Dayot Upamecano, 26, a new contract that would extend his terms beyond 2026, amid interest from Liverpool. (Florian Plettenberg)

– Manchester United defender Tyrell Malacia is of interest to Turkish giants Galatasaray, having struggled for game time. (Daily Star)

– West Ham United defender Max Kilman could replace Marc Guehi at Crystal Palace if the latter moves to Liverpool. (Football Insider)

– AC Milan and Internazionale are monitoring Spanish center back Mario Gila, as the 25-year-old is yet to agree a contract extension with Lazio. (Nicolo Schira)

– Torino are eyeing a potential deal to sign Mauro Icardi in January, as the forward has entered the final year of his Galatasaray contract. (Ekrem Konur)

– Corinthians attacker Memphis Depay has rejected a lucrative contract offer from Liga MX side Santos Laguna. (Ekrem Konur)

– Nottingham Forest could replace manager Ange Postecoglou with Rafael Benitez. (Football Insider)

– Former Arsenal midfielder Jack Wilshere is a leading candidate for the Luton Town managerial position. (Sky Sports)

– Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard has decided to withdraw from contention to become the new Rangers manager, having been at the club from 2018-2021. (Ben Jacobs)