Overview
- Folarin Balogun buried the go‑ahead strike in the 71st minute after Gio Reyna’s driven cutback deflected into his path.
- Tempers flared in second‑half stoppage time with a benches‑side melee that resulted in cautions before the final whistle.
- Pochettino continued auditions in key roles with Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and other regulars unavailable, stressing that “no one can feel safe.”
- The U.S. again leaned on a back‑three shape with wingbacks, as Max Arfsten assisted Reyna’s fourth‑minute header and Sergiño Dest pushed high on the right.
- Four Philadelphia Union academy alumni—Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Auston Trusty and Matt Freese—were in the squad for the first USMNT game in Chester since 2018, with Uruguay up next on Tuesday in Tampa.