Balogun’s second-half goal helps the US draw against Ecuador in a friendly match

Folarin Balogun scored in the 71st minute to offset Enner Valencia’s first-half goal as the United States drew 1-1 with Ecuador in a friendly on Saturday.

Balogun scored for the second game in a row, his seventh goal in twenty international appearances, after Tim Weah intercepted a clearance and passed it to Tanner Tessmann, who sent the ball wide to Malik Tillman.

Tillman crossed where Balogun came for Joel Ordóñez and sent the ball, from just inside the six-yard box, past goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez and in via the inside of the near post.

The 16th-ranked Americans held on to one win in their last eight games against top 25 opponents since March 2024, going 2-0 last month over a mostly second-tier Japanese roster.

“It’s good to build momentum,” Balogun said. “Disappointed we didn’t get the win, but I think we were the better team and there were a lot of positives to take into the next game.”

The U.S. plays Australia on Tuesday in Commerce City, Colorado, and faces Paraguay and Uruguay next month. Then there are only a few more friendly matches in March before coach Mauricio Pochettino calls up players for his training camp ahead of the World Cup.

The Americans had 66% possession and defeated Ecuador 11-8. Galíndez dived to parry Balogun’s shot from just inside the penalty area in the eighth minute and pushed Richards’ shot off his left post in the 26th.

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“I felt like we dominated,” midfielder Weston McKennie said. «I hope we gain confidence. I hope we get the adrenaline out of this game, by playing forward, turning the ball, being patient with the ball and just always trying to be dangerous.»

Pochettino returned to Austin, where he coached his first American match on October 12 last year.

Number 24 Ecuador, who finished second behind Argentina in South American World Cup qualifying, extended their unbeaten team record to 12 matches, including seven draws.

La Tri is away to Mexico on Tuesday.

Valencia scored in the 24th minute when he hit Jordy Alcivar’s through ball wide Chris Richards, broke into goal with two more touches and fired just past Matt Freese’s outstretched right hand and into the far post. Valencia, who turns 36 next month, is Ecuador’s goals leader with 48 goals in 101 international appearances.

Christian Pulisic, the top American player, did not start due to a sore ankle and came on in the 73rd minute.

Published on October 11, 2025