Folarin Balogun’s 71st-minute strike earned the United States a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in an international friendly on Friday night, cancelling out Enner Valencia’s first-half opener.
Balogun, who also scored in the previous game, netted his seventh goal in 20 international appearances. The equalizer came after Tim Weah intercepted a clearance and found Tanner Tessmann, who played the ball wide to Malik Tillman. Tillman’s low cross found Balogun, who slipped in front of Joel Ordóñez and redirected the ball off the inside of the near post from close range.
Ranked 16th in the world, the U.S. have now managed just one win in their last nine matches against top-25 opponents — a 2-0 victory last month over a second-string Japan side.
“It’s good to build momentum,” Balogun said after the match. “We’re disappointed not to win, but I think we were the better side and there are a lot of positives to take forward.”
The U.S., who enjoyed 66% possession and outshot Ecuador 11–8, next face Australia on Tuesday in Colorado. They will then meet Paraguay and Uruguay next month before coach Mauricio Pochettino finalizes his pre-World Cup training camp squad.
“We need to be more clinical with our final passes in the attacking third,” Pochettino said.
Goalkeeper Hernán Galíndez denied Balogun early with a diving save and pushed Chris Richards’ attempt onto the post in the 26th minute.
“I felt like we dominated,” said midfielder Weston McKennie. “We just need to carry this confidence forward — keep rotating, moving the ball, and staying dangerous.”
Ecuador, ranked 24th, extended their national record unbeaten run to 12 games, including seven draws. Valencia gave La Tri the lead in the 24th minute, running onto Jordy Alcívar’s through ball and slotting past Matt Freese for his 48th international goal — the most in Ecuador’s history.
Star forward Christian Pulisic came on in the 73rd minute after being rested due to a sore ankle. Veteran defender Tim Ream, who turned 38 earlier this week, became the fourth outfield player in U.S. history to appear at that age or older.
Left back Antonee Robinson, still recovering from knee surgery, and forward Alex Zendejas were both unavailable. Pochettino said Zendejas will return to Club América in Mexico for further treatment on a knee injury.
Ecuador will next face Mexico on Tuesday.
Source: AP