FIFA World Cup hosts USA continue their build-up to next summer’s tournament as Mauricio Pochettino leads the side into friendly matches against Ecuador and Australia this month.
After months of experimentation with players believed to be on the fringes of the depth chart, the October international window has seen Pochettino finally turn back to a number of key stars who return to the roster.
Christian Pulisic, in electric club form, leads the USMNT squad, with Weston McKennie and Tim Weah also called in. Yet Pochettino has also sent a message to the likes of Yunus Musah and Sergino Dest, who were not included and have more to do if they wish to convince the boss of their usefulness.
MORE: A full breakdown of the USMNT roster for October friendlies against Ecuador and Australia
USA vs. Ecuador lineups: Predicted starting XI, team news, rosters
Antonee Robinson is only just returning from offseason knee surgery that kept him largely uninvolved at Fulham early this Premier League season. Having just made his return at the club level, he’s been included on the roster for the first time since March, although Pochettino hinted that he may not be risked on the pitch a significant amount.
Tyler Adams is not included in the roster, and Pochettino confirmed this was due to the Bournemouth midfielder expecting the birth of a child in the next few days.
Ricardo Pepi was brought off early in PSV’s league match against Excelsior, and while the muscle injury is thought to be minor, he was left off the roster. His club teammate Sergino Dest was absent from PSV’s Champions League draw with Bayer Leverkusen but returned for the weekend’s league match, so it’s unclear if he was omitted fitness reasons.
Midfielder Johnny Cardoso has picked up an ankle injury early in his time at new club Atletico Madrid and is unavailable. Gio Reyna‘s career-long struggles with muscle injuries continue as he remains out with a hamstring issue picked up early in his Borussia Monchengladbach spell.
There will be a battle of goalkeepers this window between Matt Turner and Matt Freese.
USA predicted XI (3-4-2-1, right to left): Turner (GK) — Richards, Carter-Vickers, Ream — Weah, McKennie, Tessman, Arfsten — Tillman, Pulisic — Balogun
Injured: Pepi (muscle), Cardoso (ankle), Reyna (hamstring)
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: Adams (personal reasons)
Full USA roster
Goalkeepers: Chris Brady, Matt Freese, Patrick Schulte, Matt Turner
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Cameron Carter-Vickers, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Antonee Robinson, Miles Robinson, Chris Richards
Midfielders: Brenden Aaronson, Diego Luna, Weston McKennie, Aidan Morris, Cristian Roldan, James Sands, Tanner Tessman, Malik Tillman
Forwards: Patrick Agyemang, Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic, Timothy Weah, Haji Wright, Alex Zendejas.
There are a few big-name absentees from the Ecuador national team this international break.
Arsenal defender Piero Hincapie is missing due to a groin injury. Chelsea midfielder Moises Caicedo is out of the international fold for now due to fitness concerns, with Blues head coach Enzo Maresca saying that while he has been able to play for his club, he is playing “injured” and is “not well.”
Gonzalo Plata is in the same boat as Caicedo, playing through a knee injury for his club Flamengo and given the international break to rest up.
Ecuador predicted XI (4-4-1-1, right to left): Galindez (GK) — Preciado, Arreaga, Pacho, Estupinan — Franco, Alcivar, Vite, Angulo — Paez — Valencia
Injured: Hincapie (groin), Caicedo (undisclosed), Plata (knee)
Suspended: None
Full Ecuador roster
Goalkeepers: Hernan Galindez, Cristhian Loor, Moises Ramirez, Gonzalo Valle
Defenders: Xavier Arreaga, Jhoanner Chavez, Pervis Estupinan, Joel Ordonez, Willian Pacho, Angelo Preciado, Cristian Ramirez, Felix Torres
Midfielders: Jordy Alcivar, Denil Castillo, Alan Franco, Darwin Guagua, Yaimar Medina, Patrik Mercado, Alan Minda, Kendry Paez, Bryan Ramirez, Pedro Vite, John Yeboah
Forwards: Nilson Angulo, Leonardo Campana, John Mercado, Kevin Rodriguez, Enner Valencia.
USA vs. Ecuador match details
- Date: Friday, October, 10, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 7:30 p.m. local (8:30 p.m. ET / 5:30 p.m. PT)
- Location: Q2 Stadium (Austin, TX)
- Last meeting: USA 1-0 Ecuador (Mar. 21, 2019 | International Friendly)
