AUSTIN, Texas – In the throes of an uphill climb against a quality opponent, the chants boomed.
The United States trailed by a goal against a stingy Ecuador side that entered Friday night’s friendly at Q2 Stadium on an unprecedented unbeaten streak. Ecuador's excellent form and aggressive style of play made the matchup one of the toughest the United States has faced this year.
Ecuador led early thanks to a well-executed strike from their star finisher Enner Valencia in the 24th minute on a transition play.
Yet, even down a goal, the climb for the United States out of the one-nil hole didn’t feel insurmountable. In fact, an equalizer felt almost inevitable. The U.S. created chance after chance – first from Chris Richards, then from Aidan Morris – looking fluid in their formation and unflinchingly resolved to level the match. The USMNT recorded 11 shots, five on goal.
And the chants from the home crowd strengthened the support.
“The crowd helped us to really motivate us and push us on,” striker Folarin Balogun said. “I think they don’t realize how much we as players rely on their support. It really gives us a boost. It’s always nice when we can play at an amazing stadium like today with the home crowd supporting us and cheering us on.”
As the second half progressed, and time ticked down for the United States to find an answer, the sold-out crowd of 20,738 at Q2 Stadium thundered together, “U-S-A! U-S-A!” The full-throated cheers mirrored the promising play on the pitch – and filled everyone in the stadium with hope.
“In the second half, the stadium started really going crazy, and we started to step it up a bit,” winger Tim Weah said. “That was nice, and we ended up getting the goal thanks to them. It’s always great having that turn up.”
“We felt it on the field,” Ream said. “I made the comment on the bench that for a friendly, it was a really impressive atmosphere… to feel that togetherness from a sellout crowd and hearing the ‘U-S-A!’ chants, it was special.”
The support reached a resounding level when the U.S. pulled the match even in the 71st minute. Balogun finished a Malik Tillman cross to tie the match 1-1.
The United States closed out the match with a draw, tying a team that finished second behind only Argentina in World Cup Qualifying in CONMEBOL.
The response, the support, added up to a strong performance — one that seems to define this group that is growing under head coach Mauricio Pochettino.
“The main motto of the U.S. in general and then U.S. Soccer is belief,” midfielder Weston McKennie said. “With the guys, we’ve been around each other a long time, and we have the confidence to know that the game’s not over until the final whistle blows.”
