The USMNT fought back after going a goal behind to earn a 1-1 draw against Ecuador in a friendly in Austin, Texas.
Folarin Balogun struck in the 71st minute to get the hosts back on level terms after Mauricio Pochettino’s side had fallen behind to an Enner Valencia goal.
Christian Pulisic, who had been a doubt for the US because of an ankle injury suffered during training earlier in the week, was named among the substitutes and came on for the last quarter of an hour of the game at Q2 Stadium. Meanwhile, Ecuador’s star man, Chelsea’s Moises Caicedo, missed the match.
Balogun’s goal was his second in as many international matches, after getting on the scoresheet in the US’s 2-0 win over Japan back in September. And, despite falling behind in the game, it was one in which the US largely outplayed their opponents, who finished runners-up in South American World Cup qualifying, ahead of both Brazil and Uruguay and behind only Argentina.
Pochettino has endured something of a turbulent first year as national team head coach. Their results have been mixed, with notable defeats coming in the semi-final of the Concacaf Nations League against Panama, and in the final of the Concacaf Gold Cup against Mexico.
There will be significant expectation on the former Tottenham and Chelsea manager to deliver a strong showing on home soil at next summer’s World Cup, which the US have qualified for automatically as co-hosts.
But Pochettino insists he is pleased with the first 12 months of his tenure.
“We are here talking about actions, concepts, formations — things like this,” Pochettino said.
“After one year, I am so happy that we don’t talk about other things like commitment, attitude — things like this that in the past we were talking [about]. I think that’s a massive step up.”
“I think we dominated the game in all the aspects.
“The performance was a very, very serious performance, very professional. I think we need to improve in some details, but that is the way that we want to compete.”
The USA are next in action when they take on Australia on Wednesday (2:00am UK time) at DSG Park in Colorado.
