Five Things to Know: USMNT vs. Ecuador

The U.S. Men’s National Team returns for the October international window, one year after Mauricio Pochettino made his debut as head coach at Q2 Stadium last fall.

The USA will face 2026 FIFA World Cup-qualified nations Ecuador and Australia in October. First up, the USMNT will take on the South American squad in Austin, Texas on Oct. 10 at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Less than 250 days until the world’s largest sports event kicks off in the United States, Pochettino and the USMNT continue to build toward next summer. The last time the squad took the field, the USA beat another World Cup-bound team in Japan. The Americans look to continue that momentum in this window. 

Here’s everything you need to know as the U.S. prepares for Ecuador:

1. One Year Later in Austin

The USMNT played at Q2 Stadium one year ago in the 2024 October international window — the first match with head coach Mauricio Pochettino on the sidelines. The USA beat Panama 2-0 as Pochettino began his international coaching tenure with a victory over a Concacaf foe.

It’s been a year of learning under Pochettino, as veteran center back Tim Ream described. Ream, 38, has adapted to a new playing style under this staff, and one thing that’s clear is the intensity they demand in training which carries over into matches.

“We step over the line like this is it — nothing else matters,” Ream said. “There's nothing in the world between the start of a training or the start of a game, at the end of a training or the end of a game. There's nothing else that matters. Every touch, every pass, every piece of communication is the most important thing. That's something that I think is really starting to take hold within the group. It's something that I've noticed really become prevalent over the last year.”

2. Undefeated at Q2

The Americans hold an undefeated 6-0-0 record at the home of Austin FC. The venue opened in 2021 and has quickly become a special place for the USMNT. Each of the six wins have been shutouts. The energy at games has been electric, too. Three of the outings have been sellouts with a total average attendance of more than 18,000. Most recently, the USMNT claimed a 1-0 victory over Saudi Arabia in the Concacaf Gold Cup Group Stage in June. Defender Chris Richards scored the lone goal.

3. Leaning on Veteran Leadership

As the Americans gear up to face top opponents already qualified for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, they’ll lean on veteran leadership in Tim Ream and Cristian Roldan. Ream carries an “aura” that makes anyone feel welcome coming into camp. With the celebration of his 38th birthday this week, he’s also provided an example of continuing a high-level career at any age. 

“He’s revitalized his National Team career at an older age,” Roldan said of Ream. “It provided me with a little bit more added motivation to get back here with the team, to really believe that I could get here. He's an example that you can not only play at a really high level but sustain that throughout your career.”

Roldan returned to National Team duty for the first time since 2023 in September. The veteran impressed Pochettino with the way he carried himself — along with productive minutes on the field — and earned another call-up in October. 

4. Christian Pulisic in Stellar Form

Christian Pulisic entered October camp in electric form, having delivered six goals and two assists in just seven matches for AC Milan. He leads Serie A in scoring and goal contributions. As the U.S. prepares to face World Cup-bound Ecuador and Australia, the veteran winger brings not just attacking firepower but leadership for the squad.

“Christian is a great player," Pochettino said. "He's a player that has continuity, and I think we can say he is the most important player now for the National Team that is performing and playing under big pressure. He needs to perform every single week and every single game in a place like Milan, and he’s doing well.”

5. A Chance to Strike

A number of USMNT players return in this international window. Cameron Carter-Vickers, Weston McKennie, Tanner Tessmann and Patrick Schulte made their first appearance on a camp roster since the Concacaf Nations League in March. Aidan Morris came back into camp after a year since he last played in the October 2024 friendlies, including Pochettino’s initial game in Austin. Meanwhile, James Sands earned his first call-up under Pochettino after last appearing in a U.S. shirt in 2023. 

“It's been a good start to the year, regardless if I get called in the camp,” Morris said. “My theme doesn't change. I just try to wake up every day and just get better, get that 1% better. Then just control what I control. With that, obviously, leads to growing and getting better, and then leads me to these opportunities here.”