The USA face Ecuador in a 2025 international friendly that promises to be an intriguing match to watch. While it may only be an exhibition, it carries significant importance—especially for the Ecuadorians. Still, there are notable storylines on the American side, including the key question: why is Christian Pulisic not starting today?

One of the biggest challenges for the U.S. men’s national team as they prepare for the 2026 World Cup comes in the form of Ecuador, one of the most consistent and competitive CONMEBOL teams in recent years. They have just completed one of their strongest World Cup qualifying campaigns, making this test particularly valuable for the Americans.

Pulisic’s absence from the starting lineup was somewhat expected. Just a day before the match, head coach Mauricio P

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