The United States Men’s National Team faces Ecuador in a crucial FIFA World Cup preparation match at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Friday night. The United States vs Ecuador have already qualified for the 2026 World Cup.
This international friendly serves as a vital opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino’s USMNT to build momentum and test their squad depth against a formidable South American opponent that finished second in CONMEBOL qualifying.
Ecuador arrives in Texas unbeaten in 11 matches and coming off an impressive 1-0 victory over world champions Argentina, making this encounter a significant test for the Americans on home soil.
United States vs Ecuador Match Information, Prediction, H2H and Where to watch
Table of Contents
Match Info
The United States hosts Ecuador at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas, on Friday, October 10, 2025, with kickoff scheduled for 8:30 PM ET (5:30 PM PT). This international friendly represents the first of two matches in the October window for the USMNT, with Australia to follow on October 14.
The fixture takes place exactly one year after Mauricio Pochettino’s debut as USMNT head coach at the same venue, where his team defeated Panama 2-0.
USA’s Recent Campaign:
The Stars and Stripes have shown mixed results under Pochettino’s guidance, winning 11 of 18 matches since his appointment.
Their last two internationals produced contrasting outcomes – a convincing 2-0 victory over Japan followed by a disappointing 2-0 defeat to South Korea. The Americans have struggled against high-level opposition, suffering heavy defeats to Switzerland (4-0) and Turkey (2-1) in June friendlies.
Ecuador’s Impressive Run:
La Tri has been in exceptional form under Sebastian Beccacece, remaining undefeated in their last 11 matches across all competitions with five wins and six draws.
Their crowning achievement came with a stunning 1-0 victory over Argentina in their final World Cup qualifier, secured by an Enner Valencia penalty.
Ecuador finished second in the ultra-competitive CONMEBOL qualifying table, ahead of traditional powerhouses Brazil, Colombia, and Uruguay.
USA Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Japan (H) | 2-0 | W | Friendly | Sep 10, 2025 |
| South Korea (H) | 0-2 | L | Friendly | Sep 6, 2025 |
| Switzerland (H) | 0-4 | L | Friendly | Jun 11, 2025 |
| Turkey (H) | 1-2 | L | Friendly | Jun 7, 2025 |
| Costa Rica (H) | 3-0 | W | CONCACAF Gold Cup | Jan 23, 2025 |
Ecuador’s Last 5 Matches
| Opponent | Score | Result | Competition | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Argentina (H) | 1-0 | W | WC Qualifier | Sep 10, 2025 |
| Paraguay (A) | 0-0 | D | WC Qualifier | Sep 5, 2025 |
| Peru (A) | 0-0 | D | WC Qualifier | Jun 11, 2025 |
| Brazil (H) | 0-0 | D | WC Qualifier | Jun 6, 2025 |
| Chile (A) | 0-0 | D | WC Qualifier | Mar 26, 2025 |
United States vs Ecuador Head to Head
The historical matchup between the USA and Ecuador shows an evenly balanced rivalry, with both nations having experienced periods of dominance.
The record demonstrates the competitive nature of this fixture, while recent encounters have favored the United States.
All-Time Head-to-Head Record
| Played | USA Wins | Draws | Ecuador Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Matches | 15 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Goals For | 11 | 12 | ||
| Goals Against | 12 | 11 |
Recent Head-to-Head (Since 2007)
| Played | USA Wins | Draws | Ecuador Wins | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Since 2007 | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Goals For | 8 | 4 | ||
| Goals Against | 4 | 8 |
The USA has been dominant in recent matchups, winning four of the last six meetings since 2007. Their most recent clash was in March 2019, where the Americans claimed a 1-0 win in Orlando.
The USMNT has shown strong performances against Ecuador on home turf, with standout moments like the 2-1 victory in the 2016 Copa America Centenario quarterfinals.
United States vs Ecuador Current Team News
USA Team News: Pochettino has called up his strongest available squad for this crucial window, with several key players returning from injury or extended absences.
Christian Pulisic leads the attack after an impressive start with AC Milan, contributing nine goal involvements (6 goals, 3 assists) in his last 10 appearances for club and country.
Antonee Robinson returns to the squad for the first time in nearly a year following his recovery from a persistent knee injury, though he’s yet to start a Premier League match this season for Fulham.
Weston McKennie is back in the midfield after establishing himself as a crucial player for Juventus. Other key returnees include Matt Turner from the New England Revolution, who gets another opportunity to stake his claim for the number one goalkeeper position.
Notably absent are Tyler Adams, Sergino Dest, Josh Sargent, and Johnny Cardoso, who is battling an ankle injury.
Ecuador Team News:
Sebastian Beccacece faces several significant absences for this fixture. Moises Caicedo, the Chelsea midfielder and Ecuador’s defensive anchor, has been given time off to rest.
Arsenal’s Piero Hincapie and Flamengo’s Gonzalo Plata are also unavailable due to injuries. Carlos Gruezo from Quito and Jeremy Sarmiento of Cremonese complete the list of notable absentees.
However, Ecuador still boasts considerable talent with Enner Valencia leading the attack after his match-winning penalty against Argentina.
Willian Pacho and Pervis Estupinan anchor a defensive unit that has conceded just two goals under Beccacece’s leadership. Rising star Kendry Paez from Strasbourg (on loan from Chelsea) provides creative spark in midfield.
United States vs Ecuador Current Possible Starting Lineups
USA Predicted XI (4-3-3):
Freese; Freeman, Richards, Ream, Robinson; McKennie, Tessmann, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun, Zendejas
Ecuador Predicted XI (4-4-1-1):
Galindez; Franco, Ordoñez, Pacho, Estupinan; Vite, Castillo, Mercado, Angulo; Paez; Valencia
Key Players
USA Key Players:
- Christian Pulisic: The AC Milan winger has been in exceptional form with six goals for his club this season and remains the primary creative threat
- Haji Wright: The Coventry City striker leads the EFL Championship with eight goals and brings clinical finishing to the attack
- Weston McKennie: The Juventus midfielder provides leadership and box-to-box energy in the middle of the park
- Chris Richards: The Crystal Palace defender continues to impress and anchors the defensive line
Ecuador Key Players:
- Enner Valencia: The veteran striker remains Ecuador’s all-time leading scorer and scored the winning goal against Argentina.
- Kendry Paez: The 18-year-old Strasbourg midfielder is considered one of South America’s brightest prospects.
- Willian Pacho: The PSG defender leads a miserly defense that has been Ecuador’s foundation under Beccacece.
- Pervis Estupinan: The Brighton left-back provides pace and attacking threat from defense.
United States vs Ecuador Match Prediction
This encounter presents a fascinating tactical battle between Pochettino’s evolving USMNT system and Beccacece’s disciplined Ecuador setup.
The Americans benefit from home advantage and recent positive momentum following their victory over Japan, but Ecuador’s unbeaten streak and defensive solidity make them formidable opponents.
Ecuador’s approach under Beccacece emphasizes defensive organization and counter-attacking football, evidenced by their four consecutive 0-0 draws before beating Argentina.
The absence of Moises Caicedo weakens their midfield control, potentially allowing the USA’s technical players like McKennie and Tillman to dictate proceedings.
The USMNT’s attacking trio of Pulisic, Balogun, and Zendejas possesses the pace and creativity to trouble Ecuador’s defense, particularly if Robinson provides width from left-back.
However, Ecuador’s experience in high-pressure situations, having navigated CONMEBOL qualifying successfully, gives them mental fortitude.
Predicted Score: USA 2-1 Ecuador
Where to Watch United States vs Ecuador International Friendly
United States:
- TV: TNT (English), truTV, NBC Universo (Spanish)
- Streaming: HBO Max, Peacock
- Time: 8:30 PM ET / 5:30 PM PT
Canada:
- Streaming: Available through various international streaming platforms
- Time: 8:30 PM EST / 5:30 PM PST
United Kingdom:
- TV: Not televised on major UK networks
- Streaming: Cannot be legally streamed in the UK
- Time: 1:30 AM BST (Saturday morning)
Australia: Check local Fox Sports or ESPN coverage for potential broadcasting
International Viewing: For viewers outside their home countries, VPN services may be required to access geo-restricted content. The match will feature comprehensive coverage with pre-match analysis, live commentary, and post-match highlights across all broadcasting platforms.
