It is game day for the U.S. Men’s National Team as they take on Paraguay in Group D at Los Angeles Stadium. After years of preparation, we are finally about to see if Mauricio Pochettino’s side can earn the three points needed to pave their path to the knockout stage.
These two sides last battled it out in a highly physical friendly last November, resulting in a 2-1 win for the Americans. While that previous meeting carried no real stakes, tonight is entirely different. The Argentine manager has to get his tactics right from the first whistle, or the U.S. will find themselves in a grueling uphill battle just to escape the group stage.
With kickoff approaching, here are three critical questions facing the USMNT.
1. Chris Richards is Ready, But How Close to 100% Is He?
When news broke last month that the center-back suffered torn ankle ligaments while playing for Crystal Palace, there was immense concern over whether he would even make the tournament roster. It was a cruel sense of déjà vu for fans, remembering how injury forced him to miss out on the 2022 World Cup.
The 26-year-old returned to full training on Monday and confidently told reporters he is “ready” to play”. That is undoubtedly a massive sigh of relief for the coaching staff, especially after the backline looked exposed during last Saturday’s 2-1 friendly loss to Germany.
However, training sessions don’t fully replicate the intensity of a tournament opener, and we may not know his true match fitness until he’s tested on the pitch on Friday. In all likelihood, Pochettino will slide him right into the starting eleven—the U.S. desperately needs his composure and recovery pace to neutralize Paraguay’s counterattacks. If he falters, veterans like Tim Ream (our modern-day Jeff Agoos), Mark McKenzie, or Auston Trusty will have to step up immediately to keep the backline settled.
2. Turner vs. Freese: Who Starts Between the Sticks?
Goalkeeping, historically the most stable position of strength for the U.S. program, has recently become an unstable question mark. It remains unclear exactly who Pochettino trusts to protect the net tonight. Both Matt Turner and Matt Freese have rotated opportunities, but neither has firmly gripped the number-one spot.
Turner, whose club stock fell after navigating turbulent spells with Arsenal, Nottingham Forest, and Crystal Palace, has looked unconvincing as of late. The team’s humiliating 5-2 defeat to Belgium in March exposed glaring weaknesses in his positioning and response to rapid attacking transitions. Even during his first-half appearance in the 3-2 victory over Senegal, he lacked authority, punctuated by allowing a 44th-minute goal to Sadio Mané. This tentative positioning is exactly what a gritty Paraguay side will try to exploit.
Then there is Freese. While he has often been Pochettino’s preferred option during preparation, he hasn’t yet sold the fanbase or pundits as the undisputed starter. The 27-year-old has occasionally lacked command of his penalty area and has struggled to deliver effective, composed passes when opposing forwards press him high up the pitch. His performance against Germany highlighted this hesitation, looking notably flat-footed on Kai Havertz’s second-minute opening goal. At this level, goalkeepers must be proactive and anticipate danger before it turns into a shot on target.
It remains a genuine toss-up as to who gets the nod this evening.
3. Will the U.S. Start Sluggishly or Set the Tone Early?
Slow starts have plagued this group since long before the Argentine coach stepped in. It boggles the mind how often this collection of talent falls behind early in major fixtures. Is it opening-match nerves, or are they letting the weight of the opponent dictate the tempo?
While they showed admirable resolve to fight back and temporarily level the score against the Germans, they cannot rely on playing from behind in a tournament format. Starting sluggishly on this stage puts a team in a massive hole that can instantly derail tournament progression.
The U.S. has proven in its preparation cycles that when they establish quick ball movement and stretch the opponent wide via Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest, they are genuinely dangerous. It forces opposing defenders onto their heels and creates space through the middle. Everything simply has to click from the opening whistle.
Beyond tactics, emotional composure will be vital. Paraguay thrives on turning matches into psychological and physical dogfights. The Americans must keep their heads and stay disciplined from the 1st minute to the 90th.
Prediction
Expect an incredibly tight, physical battle. The United States is desperate to make a statement on home soil, while Paraguay will happily sit deep, clog the passing lanes, and look to punish every individual error. Ultimately, look for the Americans to find a way to grind this one out.
Final Score: USA 2-1 Paraguay
