Soccer
The U.S. men’s national team’s fall schedule is starting to take shape.
Ecuador and Australia will face off with Mauricio Pochettino’s squad during FIFA’s October international window, U.S. Soccer announced Monday. Both matches will serve as preparatory matches for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Americans will face Ecuador on October 10 at Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas before closing out their two-match window against Australia on Oct. 14 at Dick’s Sporting Goods Park in Commerce City, Colorado.
Ecuador will make its fifth World Cup appearance next summer, after joining Argentina and Brazil as one of the three South American teams that have already qualified for the tournament. Sebastian Beccacece’s squad are currently ranked No. 25 in the FIFA Men’s Rankings.
The USMNT hold a 5-5-5 all-time record against Ecuador in all competitions. It will mark the first head-to-head matchup since 2019.
Australia has also secured its spot into the World Cup after finishing second in its group during the third round of Asian Football Confederation qualifiers. Ranked No. 24 in FIFA’s rankings, the Australians last met the USMNT in 2010.
The USMNT most recently lost to Mexico 2-1 in the CONCACAF Gold Cup Final and will face Japan and South Korea in September friendlies later this year.
All four matches scheduled by U.S. Soccer for the September-October window are against nations currently ranked in the Top-25.
Read MoreLarry Henry Jr