This time it’s for real.
The United States men’s national team opens its most anticipated World Cup campaign when it faces Paraguay in its Group D opener.
Here’s everything you need to know as the U.S. Men’s National Soccer Team begins its World Cup campaign.
How To Watch USMNT Vs. Paraguay
Time And Venue
Friday, 9 p.m. ET | SoFi Stadium, Inglewood, Calif.
TV And Streaming
Fox, Fox One (English) | Telemundo, Peacock (Spanish)
Tickets
Here’s where you can purchase tickets.
USMNT And Paraguay Projected Lineups
USMNT Team News
Center back Chris Richards has returned to team training after an ankle injury kept the Crystal Palace standout out of both of the U.S.’s pre-tournament friendlies. Given how porous the back line looked without him, it’s likely that manager Mauricio Pochettino will slide him into the starting lineup despite any potential fitness concerns.
Elsewhere, the two biggest questions are who will start at center forward and at goalkeeper. While Folarin Balogun got the striker nod in the final tune-up against Germany, Ricardo Pepi might be the better option against Paraguay given his superior ability to drop deep and link-up play. In goal, only Freese has played a full 90 minutes during the two tune-up games, and he appears favored to get the nod even though Matt Turner has more experience.
Also, it should be noted that while the Americans are likely to play a 4-2-3-1, it can operate more like a 5-4-1 without the ball, with Sergiño Dest dropping into the wingback position.
USMNT Projected Lineup: (4-2-3-1, Left To Right)
Matt Freese (GK) – Antonee Robinson, Chris Richards, Tim Ream, Alex Freeman – Malik Tillman, Tyler Adams – Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest – Ricardo Pepi
Paraguay Team News
The Albirroja faced one of the most consequential pre-tournament injuries when Julio Enciso suffered a thigh bruise and minor ligament injury in a tune-up against Nicaragua. While the initial scenes suggested Enciso might miss the entire tournament, follow-up reporting indicates the the Strasbourg attacker could be ready in time for Paraguay’s Group D finale against Australia.
Until then, Palmeiras midfielder Mauricio is the most obvious candidate to slide in on the left flank. Otherwise, Gustavo Alfaro is likely to stick with some version of a 4-2-3-1 or 4-2-2-2, as he has through most of qualifying.
Paraguay Projected Lineup: (4-2-3-1, left to right)
Gatito Fernández (GK) – Júnior Alonso, Omar Alderete, Gustavo Gómez, Juan Cáceres – Kaku, Andrés Cubas – Maurício, Miguel Almirón, Diego Gómez – Antonio Sanabria
USMNT Vs. Paraguay Prediction
Put bluntly, the U.S. team caught a break by facing Paraguay without Enciso, who is arguably the most talented attacker on either squad. Without him, expect Paraguay to sit deep and counter even more than they might normally in this situation.
The problem for Paraguay is that the USMNT has the right personnel to combat such tactics, particularly wide defensive players who are above-average attackers from their positions. That includes Antonee Robinson, Dest and to a lesser extent Alex Freeman.
Expect the U.S. to eventually find a goal. And if they do, there will probably be a second for the taking on the counter as Paraguay looks to pull level.
Match Prediction
USA 2, Paraguay 0
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