USMNT Prepares for World Cup Match Against Paraguay

IRVINE, Calif. — The U.S. men’s national team’s recent 2-1 victory over Paraguay in a friendly last November doesn’t offer much insight as they gear up to face the South American team again in their World Cup opener this Friday.

That friendly took place in Chester, Pennsylvania, and although it was just an exhibition, the World Cup opener gets global attention.

Interestingly, while ten players from that match will feature in the World Cup squad, many will likely not be starters. Notably, stars like Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, and Weston McKennie were absent from the November camp altogether.

At a tactical level, trying to draw comparisons seems pretty pointless.

However, two key developments during that game stood out for the USMNT.

For those not in the loop, Gio Reyna made a significant comeback to the World Cup squad, scoring just four minutes into his first international match since March. Tensions escalated late in the game, leading to a brawl after Alex Freeman and Gustavo Gomez tussled over the ball, causing Paraguay’s bench to clear. Interestingly, defender Omar Alderete, likely to start on Friday, ended up getting a red card just moments after entering the match.

This physicality was echoed on Saturday, as Tim Weah delivered a fierce tackle during the USMNT’s 2-1 defeat to Germany. Given Paraguay’s reputation for a tough playing style, Friday’s match now feels very relevant.

“I think one of our biggest strengths is how much we enjoy being around each other,” Reyna mentioned on Tuesday. “That really shows in our play, especially in those moments of uncertainty.”

During the Atlanta segment of the camp, Weah noted that coach Mauricio Pochettino infuses some “South American grit” into the team, tapping into the continent’s competitive spirit.

“It all began with the Gold Cup last summer,” captain Tim Ream reflected on Monday. “The match against Paraguay felt like more than just a game. It was a great test for our group, and I’m happy to have experienced that.”

Regarding Reyna, it seems he’ll likely maintain a role similar to what he had in the 2022 World Cup, meaning he won’t start against Paraguay. Although he was a substitute for 28 minutes against Germany, his impact was minimal.

Still, Pochettino has frequently pointed out Reyna’s raw talent since the beginning of the November season, which is why he made the cut for the 26-man squad. If the USMNT finds themselves in need of a goal during the second half, it would not be surprising for the coach to call upon Reyna.

Although things are quite different now, his previous performance against Paraguay from seven months ago likely boosts his confidence.

“Last year we trained together every day,” noted Joe Scully, Reyna’s teammate at Borussia Mönchengladbach. “He always brings great energy and performs well. That hasn’t changed at the club. He’s an exceptional player. It’s fantastic to see him doing well in camp.”