Mauricio Pochettino insisted that the USMNT would present the best version of themselves in the October friendlies after months of experimentation. If Friday night is any indication, the manager was true to his word, as the U.S. turned in a confident performance against Ecuador, one of South America's best teams, salvaging a 1-1 draw.

The USMNT showed some initial struggles, especially after conceding the opening goal to Ecuador's Enner Valencia in the 24th minute. But the attack then proceeded to create chance after chance. Much of that was due to Folarin Balogun.

The striker arrived to much fanfare almost three years ago, but injuries have limited his opportunities. Now, after two games in these last two camps, it is apparent he is a seamless fit in Pochettino's system. His blazing pace is a weapon, and his ability to find spaces make him a threat both as a finisher and as a playmaker.

"His work ethic is amazing in the way that he always is available in every single aspect of the game, with and without the ball," Pochettino said of Balogun after the match. "I'm so pleased with his performance." 

He will feel hard done by the fact that he didn't have more than the one goal contribution on the night. But Balogun wasn't the only player to shine. Malik Tillman, the Gold Cup breakout star who has had an inconsistent club season so far, was almost equally as impressive – as was the return of Weston McKennie. 

GOAL breaks down the winners and losers from Q2 Stadium in Austin, Texas.

Getty ImagesWINNER: Folarin Balogun

With the U.S. trailing 1-0 in the final minutes of the first half, Balogun charged past several Ecuadorian defenders, beat another on a 1v1 dribble and teed up Aidan Morris for a chance that the midfielder should have converted – if not for an accidental deflection from Tim Weah. 

It was a sign that, with the World Cup less than nine months away, Balogun might have sealed the No. 1 striker spot with Friday's performance. The Monaco striker was all over the pitch and incisive every time he had a touch. He showed an incredible work rate and, more impressively, vision on the pitch. Balogun ultimately scored the equalizer in the 71st minute. Weah was impressed by what he saw from the striker Friday. 

"We know he's an amazing player. He can change a game for us by sticking his foot into the action. He's running behind, fighting with defenders. I think it helps us," Weah said. "Hopefully, we can build on this performance and, hopefully, we can feed him some more."

Balogun was also consistently penetrating and creating chances for others in attack. While Christian Pulisic, who didn't start because of an ankle issue, was not on the pitch during Balogun's stretch, it is easy to see how the two could combine. Both are seemingly high IQ and efficient with their chances. 

"Whenever he’s able to use his speed and get in behind the line, he’s so hard to track," McKennie said of Balogun. "And today he did very well with holding the ball as well. Any balls that we played, whenever we had trouble in the back and played up top, he was holding them very well. Having a nine like that gives a lot of relief to the team. He did a brilliant job today."

AdvertisementGetty ImagesLOSER: Chris Richards

Richards is the U.S.'s most athletic player on defense, with a fleet-footed pace that allows him to track back and contain some of the world's best forwards. That wasn't the case Friday night. 

The Crystal Palace defender made Enner Valencia, 35, look about 10 years younger in the game's opening goal, which gave Ecuador a 1-0 lead in the 24th minute. The forward got the ball on a U.S. turnover, and Richards, who had his back turned when it landed in Valencia's direction, couldn't react quickly enough and watched the veteran blast past him and score past USMNT goalkeeper Matt Freese. 

Richards' initial positioning was forgivable due to the U.S. being caught on a broken play, but his inability to track back with Valencia inexplicable. The 25-year-old wasn't the only culprit on that play, as Aidan Morris and Freese were also culpable, but he needed to do better.

Getty ImagesLOSER: Matt Freese

Freese had his first real test, up against a very good South American team, and failed to deliver when called upon in the first half. Yes, Freese wasn't solely responsible for Ecuador's goal, but it was a shot he should have stopped.

And it is likely a goal that whichever player Pochettino chooses to be the No. 1 goalkeeper at the World Cup next summer will see at some point against quality opposition. Freese did redeem himself in the 78th minute with a crucial save, but it won't eradicate doubts after conceding the opener. 

In the World Cup, having a great goalkeeper can be the difference between securing three points or a draw and  a loss. In the past, the U.S. had the likes of Tony Meola, Brad Friedel, and Tim Howard, among others, who, at times, bailed the team out of defensive mistakes.

The goalkeeper job has largely been Freese's job to lose since a strong showing in the Gold Cup this summer. But following Friday's draw, questions will return. 

Getty ImagesWINNER: Malik Tillman

This was an assured performance from Tillman, who desperately needed one after struggling to find his best form with his new club, Bayern Leverkusen. 

Tillman started slowly, but seemingly got more confident as the match progressed and provided strong box-to-box play and playmaking in an attacking midfielder role. His brilliant run in the 71st minute opened up space for Balogun to get in front of goal, and the midfielder threaded the needle perfectly to assist on the game-tying goal. 

As good as Tillman was in the Gold Cup, it came in spurts during matches. This was an end-to-end performance against Ecuador. And it was eerily familiar to another player who Pochettino relied heavily upon during his time as Tottenham manager: Dele Alli.