United States vs. Paraguay: Key players, projected lineup, what you need to know

A match eight years in the making – ever since the United States won the rights to host the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico on the eve of the 2018 tournament – ​​is finally here.

The Americans enter Friday’s Group D match against Paraguay in Los Angeles with plenty of optimism.

“Any World Cup match is a huge opportunity for us,” Stars and Stripes headliner and top striker Christian Pulisic said before the team’s final training session before the Cup. “We need to put in a good performance and really fight.”

Coach Mauricio Pochettino was more succinct. “We have to win,” he said.

With expert input from Doug McIntyre, Laken Litman and Stu Holden, here’s everything you need to know ahead of the USA vs. Paraguay match:

American players to watch

Laken Litman: I’m really intrigued by Matt Freese. Will he officially be the starting goalkeeper for the United States? If so, Friday’s opening match against Paraguay will be just his 16th national team cap. At Thursday’s practice, Freese and starter Matt Turner still appeared to be battling. Goalkeeping coach Toni Jimenez was working hard and could be heard shouting, “You have to control the situation, don’t let the situation control you” during a drill with Freese. How will Freese react in this huge moment?

Doug McIntyre: The New York-born, London-raised dual national striker, who chose the United States over England in 2023 and scored prolifically for Champions League mainstays AS Monaco, will be counted on for the goals that help his country qualify for the last 16 – and, fans of the co-hosts hope, well beyond.

USA starting lineup prediction

Stu Holden of FOX Sports predicts a back four lineup for the United States. However, he states that it will be more of a three-back formation with the hope of Antonee “Jedi” Robinson moving forward to help the midfielders maintain possession.

“Possession is key,” Holden said. “That’s why I have Malik Tillman and Tyler Adams in there, with Adams being the destroyer and Tillman taking the ball.”

Sergiño Dest often played in defense, but played an attacking role under American manager Maurico Pochettino. This will help Weston McKennie and Christian Pulisic be able to move freely and attack what should be a strong Paraguayan defense.

“I don’t want [McKennie] back to goal,” Holden added. “I want him on late runs into the box. … Pulisic looked back on what we all know he’s worthy of.”

Unsurprisingly, Folarin Balogun gets the nod as a striker, although American legend Clint Dempsey wants to see good link-up play between Pulisic and Balogun.

“I know there’s a lot of pressure on Christian to create. He’s dangerous offensively,” Dempsey said. “I would like to see him give and take and give Balogun more touches.”

Planned training: 4-2-3-1

News and remarks

• Is the United States ready for prime time? : In 1994 (for the first time as host), the United States placed best third. Only two host countries have failed to advance from the group stage: South Africa (2010) and Qatar (2022). These tournament formats only saw the top 2 teams from each group advance.

• Paraguay’s solid defense: During their World Cup qualifying campaign, Paraguay recorded 10 clean sheets in 18 matches while conceding only 10 goals (tied for second with Argentina).

• A familiar face: Paraguayan veteran Miguel Almirón is familiar to fans on three continents, having left Cerro Porteño in his native country to join Argentine club Lanús, MLS side Atlanta United and Premier League mainstay Newcastle United before returning to Atlanta last year.

• Julio Enciso’s injury: from Paraguay The 22-year-old attacking midfielder is racing to be fit for Friday’s match. The attacking midfielder, considered one of the team’s most talented youngsters, was injured against Nicaragua in a pre-World Cup friendly on June 6.