Published Oct 6, 6:01am ET by
Alex Dudley - Betting Preview Analyst and Sports Writer
Last updated Oct 6, 6:01am ET
Credit: Shutterstock
Updated Oct 6, 6:01am ET
The USMNT continue their preparations ahead of next summer's home World Cup this week, as they come up against a talented South American side.
Ecuador look good value to secure their spot at the tournament next summer, and they may be a value angle when making USMNT vs. Ecuador picks on Friday.
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|
|---|---|
| USMNT | TBC |
| DRAW | TBC |
| Ecuador | TBC |
| Total Games | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 |
| Total Goals | 12 | 8 | 4 |
Mauricio Pochettino will have another opportunity to learn about his players during the October international break. The USMNT are just under a year away from their home World Cup, and their form has been patchy to say the least this calendar year.
However, it could be worth noting that they have won each of their last two matches since losing the CONCACAF Gold Cup final against Mexico. Pochettino has named a strong squad for the upcoming internationals against Ecuador and Australia, with Christian Pulisic back in contention to start.
Ecuador have enjoyed an excellent calendar year, with their statement success coming during the previous international break after beating Argentina. That success leaves the South American nation sitting second in the World Cup qualifying standings, having lost just two of their 18 matches.
Once again, an experienced squad will travel to the U.S. for this friendly matches, with one of the team's star players being Enner Valencia. The 35-year-old has an impressive scoring record for Ecuador, netting 47 goals in 100 appearances.
Ecuador have been in excellent form throughout 2025, and their quality was apparent after beating Argentina last month. The USMNT have been patchy in terms of performance levels under Pochettino, and concerns ahead of next summer's World Cup could be increased with a damning defeat on Friday.
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Pick
Ecuador
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