For months, even years now, many US men’s national team supporters have been fretful and frustrated about the state of their squad, worried the program is not on the proper trajectory as the 2026 FIFA World Cup looms ever closer.

On Friday night in Austin, a visit from menacing Ecuador, one of South America’s elite teams in this cycle, provided a tangible sense that this massively important tournament really is near at hand – and for the first time in a while, it felt like the USMNT might actually be ready, or close to it.

“Too many positive things,” head coach Mauricio Pochettino declared after a pulsating, ruggedly physical 1-1 draw with La Tri at Austin FC 's Q2 Stadium.

“Playing against a team like Ecuador always is important, because I think they are so competitive. And for

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