As we have at each major step of the USA’s 2026 World Cup preparation under Mauricio Pochettino, we checked in with U.S. Hall of Famer Tab Ramos for his analysis. In this case, the October friendlies coincided with the 2025 Under-20 World Cup, so we also asked Ramos for his take on the performance of USA’s U-20s, which he head-coached for four cycles.

SOCCER AMERICA: The October window — a 1-1 comeback tie against Ecuador and a 2-1 comeback win over Australia — followed up on September’s 2-0 win over Japan. Has the USMNT found the momentum we were looking for with the World Cup eight months away?

TAB RAMOS: Yes! In the Ecuador game we were the type of team with high intensity and quick speed of play we have been expecting for a long time.

SA: How do you rate October results based on the strength of the opponents?

TAB RAMOS: Ecuador is one of the best teams in South America. They cruised through qualifying and we went toe-to-toe with them from beginning to end.

The Australia game was a win, not much to take from it other than a couple of individual highlights. But wins matter so it’s another step forward.

SA: Center forwards … After the September games we agreed that Folarin Balogun looked the USA’s most dangerous player and he scored the equalizer against Ecuador. Haji Wright — a September absentee — got the start against Australia and scored both goals. Your view on the center forward situation today?

TAB RAMOS: Seems like we went from a bad problem to a good problem in this position.

Balogun played well again and Wright showed he will be competing for a spot until the end. His second goal vs. Australia was as smooth as any goal I’ve seen by a national team striker. Timely run, excellent cutback and perfect finish.

SA: Speaking of Balogun, who was raised in England. His first U.S. national team program experience came in 2018 when he played for the U-18s you coached at the Vaclav Jezek Tournament in the Czech Republic and he scored twice. What memories do you have of him?