The USMNT manager doesn't want any player to take his place for granted, but some clear World Cup candidates have emerged

The Americans drew 1-1 vs. the South Americans on Friday night in a friendly, and it looks like Pochettino's experimentation is starting to pay off

In the first half, a Roldan shot from distance had Aussie keeper Mathew Ryan beat, but went just wide. A few minutes later, a corner fell to him in the box, and he narrowly missed a curling shot seemingly bound for the top right corner.

"The team culture, the team togetherness, is stronger than any individual," USMNT midfielder Brenden Aaronson said.

The U.S. men's national team has another top-25 win under Mauricio Pochettino. The second September game saw the U.S. do so against Japan, though it faced a heavily rotated team. To end October, the U.S. beat Australia ( No. 25 per FIFA) 2-1 thanks to a brace from starting striker Haji Wright.

The U.S. men’s national team defeated Australia to close the October international window thanks to two goals from Coventry City striker Haji Wright.

In the first half, even as the U.S. controlled the tempo (64.4% vs. 35.6% possession), it was Ecuador that controlled a key area. They made more of the little plays that mattered. That ability is in line with their recent history.

Is Mauricio Pochettino going to refine the dynamic of an impressive Starting XI from Friday's draw with Ecuador, or switch things up a bit when the USMNT hosts Australia on Tuesday in Colorado?

Along with Haji Wright, who scored both goals Tuesday against Australia, Balogun has given the U.S. soccer team a desperately needed scoring threat.

One of those players who revealed the plans with Pochettino is Mark McKenzie, the USMNT defender who currently plays for Toulouse in Ligue 1, and played 17 minutes against Ecuador. He talked about how Pochettino advises him to improve by watching some of the best defenders in the world.