U.S. vs Turkiye: A Soccer History

All Five Matches Between the Two Nations Have Been Close Contests

Thursday's group finale at SoFi Stadium will mark just the sixth all-time meeting between the United States and Turkey, a rivalry that, while brief, has produced no shortage of drama across three decades.

The two nations first met in September 1991, when Frank Klopas earned the Americans a 1-1 draw in Istanbul. Their most consequential clash came at the 2003 FIFA Confederations Cup, where Turkey handed the U.S. a 2-1 group-stage defeat. DaMarcus Beasley provided the lone American goal on the way to the USMNT's early elimination from the competition.

The Americans then strung together back-to-back friendly victories. Jozy Altidore and Clint Dempsey scored in a 2-1 win in Philadelphia ahead of the 2010 World Cup, and Dempsey joined Fabian Johnson on the scoresheet for another 2-1 result at Red Bull Arena in 2014.

The most recent meeting came just last summer, a tightly contested friendly in which Jack McGlynn struck in the opening minute before Turkey rallied to win 2-1.

That leaves the all-time series perfectly deadlocked at two wins, two losses and a draw apiece. Both nations also have significant World Cup history—Turkey's remarkable third-place finish in 2002 and the USMNT's consistent presence on the global stage—making Thursday's dead rubber a chance to tip the balance.

Turkiye Eliminated

Expected to Get Out of Group D, Turkiye Eliminated Before Their Final Group Stage Match

Turkiye arrives in Los Angeles on Thursday as a team already heading home, eliminated after two matches, scoreless, and still searching for answers.

The Crescent Stars entered their first World Cup in 24 years, riding enormous expectations, buoyed by a golden generation anchored by Real Madrid's Arda Guler and Juventus winger Kenan Yildiz. Instead, they produced one of the tournament's most bewildering collapses. Across defeats to Australia and Paraguay, Turkey launched 62 total shots without finding the net—the most by any team in a two-match span without scoring since records began in 1966.

Against Paraguay on Friday, Turkey mustered 32 attempts and faced a man-down opposition for more than 45 minutes, yet still fell 1-0 to Matias Galarza's stunning opener just 70 seconds in. A Mert Muldur header that struck the crossbar and post in the 35th minute was the closest they came.

"We tried very hard, but it didn't work," Guler said afterward. "Everybody's sad, everybody's crying."

Coach Vincenzo Montella's rigid 4-2-3-1 system was consistently decoded by opponents, and his reluctance to adapt proved costly. For the USMNT, Thursday's dead rubber represents a low-stakes audition for fringe players, and one final tune-up before the knockout stage begins.

A Manager's Plan

Pochettino's Patience Pays Off as USMNT Silences Doubters

A year ago, Mauricio Pochettino faced calls for his job. Now, after a 2-0 win over Australia sent the United States to the World Cup knockout stage with a game to spare for the first time in tournament history, the Argentine coach is being celebrated as the architect of something genuinely special.

Pochettino arrived in late 2024 carrying an elite résumé, having led Tottenham to its only Champions League final and won league and cup titles at Paris Saint-Germain while managing some of the world's best players. Landing him was considered a coup for U.S. Soccer. But results soured quickly: losses to Panama and Canada at the 2025 Nations League finals, followed by a damaging defeat to South Korea in September, fueled growing frustration among fans and pundits alike.

Pochettino stood by his group throughout, then closed out 2025 on a five-game unbeaten run capped by a lopsided win over Uruguay. Still, defeats to Belgium and Portugal in March reignited criticism just before he named his 26-man World Cup roster.

Through it all, his players never wavered. Goalkeeper Matt Freese said the squad maintained total belief in Pochettino's process even at the lowest points, while defender Chris Richards pointed to the coach's track record and the passion the team has tried to channel from him.

That faith has been vindicated in Seattle, where fans chanted Pochettino's name after Friday's win, and he called the support from nearly 70,000 fans amazing. With the Americans now unbeaten through two group games and into the knockout rounds, the narrative around Pochettino has flipped entirely—from a coach on the hot seat to one whose long-term vision is finally being realized on the sport's biggest stage.

Freese Quietly Steady

Though Undertested in the First Two Matches, Goalkeeper Holding Strong as USMNT's World Cup Run Continues

Through two World Cup matches, Matt Freese has done exactly what's been asked of him: very little, and done it well.

The New York City FC goalkeeper made history simply by stepping onto the field against Paraguay on June 12, becoming the first active MLS player to start a World Cup match in net for the U.S., and the first Harvard alumnus ever to appear in a men's World Cup. He played the full match in that 4-1 win, facing only two shots on target and conceding once, a workload kept light by a U.S. backline of Tim Ream, Chris Richards, Alex Freeman and Antonee Robinson that gave Paraguay little room to operate.

Five days later against Australia, Freese was barely tested again, recording two saves in a 2-0 victory that clinched the Americans' spot in the knockout rounds with a match to spare. The clean sheet marked his second straight World Cup start, with the U.S. controlling play from the opening whistle behind an early own goal and a first-half header from Freeman.

There's been little drama in Freese's tournament so far—no costly errors, no moments of real peril, just a composed, low-event presence behind a defense that has done much of the heavy lifting. That precision tracks with his background: Freese, the son of a neurosurgeon and nephew of a theoretical astrophysicist, even penned an analytical research paper on penalty kicks while at Harvard, once describing goalkeeping as a matter of "maximizing the surface area of the goal that you can cover at any given point."

With his World Cup debut now behind him, Freese's next test arrives June 25 against Türkiye, as the U.S. looks to close out Group D play, though Freese may be rotated out for Matt Turner ahead of the knockout round.

Freeman's Rapid Rise

An Eventful 18 Months for the Defender Culminate in World Cup Goal

A year and a half ago, Alex Freeman didn't have a single cap for the U.S. men's national team. On Friday in Seattle, he scored the goal that sealed the Americans' place in the World Cup knockout rounds.

Freeman's header, finishing off a deflected Sergiño Dest shot, was initially flagged offside before video review confirmed he'd timed his run correctly. As the goal was awarded, Freeman sprinted to celebrate with teammates gathered on the opposite side of the field. He later explained he'd planned to celebrate elsewhere before Cristian Roldan and others waved him over, joking he nearly bolted for the corner flag instead.

It capped a whirlwind year for the 21-year-old, who made just his 19th international appearance Friday after debuting with Orlando City's academy and breaking into the first team in 2022. A $7 million move to La Liga side Villarreal followed in January. Reflecting on the pace of his ascent, Freeman admitted it's been difficult to fully process, saying he's adjusting to a "fast pace at such a young age."

Coach Mauricio Pochettino credited much of Freeman's development to his time under former Orlando City coach Oscar Pareja, calling Freeman an eager, coachable presence the staff has thoroughly enjoyed working with, and suggested the young defender could become one of the world's best at his position.

The son of former NFL receiver Antonio Freeman, Alex has been careful to carve out his own identity, saying his father's success shows him that he, too, can find greatness in his own way. He grew emotional during the national anthem before kickoff, reflecting on years of work culminating in that moment in front of a home crowd loud enough to register seismic activity after his goal—a fitting exclamation point on his breakout tournament.

Own-Goal Luck

USMNT's Own-Goal Total Carries Deep World Cup Roots

The U.S. men's national team made history at the 2026 World Cup by becoming the first squad ever to open the scoring via an own goal in back-to-back matches—both the product of relentless American pressure rather than chance.

Against Paraguay on June 12, midfielder Damián Bobadilla turned the ball into his own net just seven minutes in, setting the tone for a 4-1 U.S. win. A week later against Australia, Folarin Balogun surged down the left and fired a dangerous cross into the box that Cameron Burgess could only deflect past his own goalkeeper, opening a 2-0 American victory built on heavy pressing and 75% possession.

The pair of own goals pushed the Americans' all-time World Cup total to five, placing them second behind only France in goals gifted by opponents' own players.

It's not the first time fortune has smiled on the U.S. in this fashion. At the 1994 World Cup on home soil, Colombian defender Andrés Escobar inadvertently redirected a U.S. cross into his own net, helping the Americans to a stunning 2-1 win over Colombia in Pasadena—a result that preceded the tragic murder of Escobar back in Medellín. Own goals have also factored into other landmark U.S. results, including the 2002 upset of Portugal, when a deflection off Jorge Costa contributed to an early 3-0 lead in a 3-2 victory, and the chaotic, three-red-card 2006 draw with Italy, leveled by a Cristian Zaccardo own goal.

Taken together, the pattern stretches back more than three decades, reinforcing a recurring thread in American World Cup history: aggressive, high-pressure soccer that has repeatedly forced opposing defenders into costly, self-inflicted mistakes at the game's biggest stage.

U.S. Roll Past Australia

Americans Punch Ticket to Knockouts Without Pulisic

The United States didn't need Christian Pulisic to keep its World Cup surge alive. Missing its biggest star due to a calf injury, the Americans dispatched Australia 2-0 in Seattle on Friday, clinching a spot in the knockout round with a group-stage match still to play.

It's the first time since 1930 that the U.S. men have won consecutive World Cup matches, and the formula looked familiar. Folarin Balogun beat his man down the left in the 11th minute and whipped in a cross that Australia's Cameron Burgess could only turn into his own net—the second straight match the Americans have benefited from an early own goal. Alex Freeman, the 21-year-old son of former NFL receiver Antonio Freeman, doubled the lead just before halftime, heading home a deflected Sergiño Dest strike after a lengthy video review confirmed the goal stood.

Ricardo Pepi stepped into the lineup in Pulisic's absence and helped anchor the American press, while the midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie and Malik Tillman controlled the tempo throughout a physical, foul-heavy contest. Australia coach Tony Popovic later admitted his side struggled to match the Americans' pace and intensity early on.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino praised Freeman's rapid development, saying the young defender has the tools to become elite at his position, and credited the team's overall approach for the result. Pulisic, who has battled the calf issue since before the tournament opener, remains questionable for the U.S.'s final group game, though the team says his injury is trending in the right direction.

With the win, the Americans need just a draw in their next match to secure the top spot in Group D and a more favorable path through the knockout rounds—a milestone moment for a program hoping to ride this momentum deep into the tournament on home soil.

U.S. vs Australia: a Soccer History

Friday Will Be The Fifth Meeting Between The Two Nations

Friday's Group D showdown in Seattle will mark the first time the United States and Australia have ever met on a World Cup stage, but it's far from their first encounter.

The two sides have crossed paths four times across three decades, all in non-competitive settings, with the Americans holding a 2-1-1 (WDL) advantage in the all-time series. Their first meeting came in Orlando in 1992, a 1-0 Australian victory that remains the Socceroos' only win in the rivalry. The nations reconvened six years later in San Jose, playing to a scoreless draw in 1998 before the series went dormant for over a decade.

The next chapter arrived in Roodepoort, South Africa, just days before the 2010 World Cup opened. The USMNT rolled to a 3-1 win, with Edson Buddle bagging a brace and Herculez Gomez adding a third to send an emphatic message ahead of the tournament.

The most recent meeting, last October in Commerce City, Colorado, set the tone for what's brewing in Seattle. It was a physical, combative affair — Pulisic was forced off early after absorbing a series of hard tackles, prompting Pochettino to push his side to match Australia's intensity. Haji Wright answered with a brace and Cristian Roldan orchestrated the attack with two assists, completing a 2-1 comeback win. Notably, 17 of the 24 players on that matchday squad earned spots on Pochettino's final World Cup roster, meaning Friday's clash carries institutional memory on both benches.

The stakes have never been higher between these two teams.

Pulisic Update

Winger Still Training Individually Ahead of Australia Clash

With less than 24 hours to kickoff against Australia, Christian Pulisic's status remains the central question hovering over the USMNT camp in Seattle.

The AC Milan winger first injured his left calf in training before the tournament and aggravated it before he was subbed off at halftime of Friday's 4-1 win over Paraguay. He has yet to return to full training with the group, instead spending the week rehabbing with the team's medical staff. Wednesday marked a small step forward — Pulisic walked to join a pre-warmup huddle before heading into the gym, and later emerged to do light ball work on the field with a trainer. He did not sit. He was not on the main pitch with his teammates. The spokesperson confirmed he didn't take the field at all on Tuesday, making Wednesday's activity an improvement.

Concern is growing. As a point of comparison, defender Chris Richards, who dealt with an ankle issue heading into the tournament, had already returned to full training at this same point in the week before the opener.

Teammates have been measured in their optimism. Antonee Robinson offered a diplomatic read when asked about the situation: "We've still got a couple of days to see where he is at. Thankfully, we've got a lot of boys on the bench eager and ready to get involved."

If Pulisic can't go, Mauricio Pochettino's most likely options include Giovanni Reyna, Tim Weah, Brenden Aaronson and Alejandro Zendejas — each capable, none a true like-for-like replacement for the team's best player.

Don’t Sleep on the Socceroos

Coming Off Their Win Over Türkiye, the Aussie Prepare for the Americans

Entering the 2026 World Cup widely dismissed, with American pundits labeling them a "lay-up" and predicting they'd finish dead last in Group D, Australia silenced the noise in emphatic fashion on matchday one, stunning Turkey 2-0 in Vancouver to pull level with the United States at the top of the group standings.

Tony Popovic's side did it the hard way. Australia surrendered 72 percent of possession and absorbed 30 shots, yet never buckled. The hero was 22-year-old goalkeeper Patrick Beach, who delivered eight saves in his competitive national team debut, embodying the kind of low-block defensive resilience that has become the Socceroos' calling card. The goals came on the counter with Nestory Irankunda, 20, becoming Australia's youngest-ever World Cup scorer, before Connor Metcalfe added a second in the second half.

Those two names are central to Australia's attacking threat Friday. Irankunda is a volatile, explosive presence whose pace and ability to beat defenders in tight spaces makes him a genuine danger on the break. Up top, Mohamed Touré, who netted nine goals in 11 Championship matches for Norwich after a January move, brings a clinical edge that belies his age.

Tactically, Popovic deploys a compact 3-4-2-1 that prioritizes defensive organization and transitions. Left wing-back Jordan Bos, one of the Eredivisie's standout fullbacks, provides the primary outlet going forward, and scored the opener the last time these teams met, in a Colorado friendly last October that the USMNT eventually won 2-1.

A team built to make your life difficult, this is no gimme.

Pochettino’s Stunning World Cup Start

After Months of Tinkering, the USMNT Finally Looked Like It is Fulfilling Its Potential

Mauricio Pochettino's blueprint came together perfectly in the USMNT's 4-1 demolition of Paraguay, with the performance offering the clearest evidence yet of the attacking identity he has worked to build since taking over.

Rather than channeling everything through one outlet, the U.S. attacked from multiple directions, stretching Paraguay both wide and in behind their backline. Christian Pulisic was at the center of it, repeatedly isolating defenders down the left with his speed and dribbling, while also drifting infield to link with Weston McKennie and help the Americans overload central areas. Paraguay right back Juan Caceres had a miserable night trying to contain him, picking up an early yellow card out of sheer desperation.

The dominance wasn't built on individual moments alone. McKennie and Malik Tillman helped create numbers in midfield, while Sergiño Dest, though slower to get going, eventually made his mark with a pair of driving runs that turned defense into attack in an instant. And when Folarin Balogun finished off a defense-splitting ball from Tillman just before halftime, it showed the U.S. could hurt Paraguay through the middle just as easily as out wide.

With Paraguay's Julio Enciso and Antonio Sanabria starved of service and forced into low-quality chances, the U.S. controlled the game's territory and tempo for long stretches. After the first half effectively settled the contest, Pochettino began making changes, pulling Pulisic at the break and later subbing off Balogun and Dest, a sign he was already managing his squad with Australia looming on June 19.

The attacking intent never wavered, though. Even after Paraguay clawed one back, the U.S. carved out another chance late, capped by Gio Reyna's finish. For Pochettino, the result wasn't just three points, it was validation of the system he's been building.

Reyna’s Redemption

Playmaker Scored on a Audacious Attempt, Bringing the 2022 Drama Full Circle

Gio Reyna provided the perfect exclamation point to the USMNT's World Cup opener, and the moment carried meaning well beyond the scoreline.

Entering as an 82nd-minute substitute for Malik Tillman, Reyna needed just 16 minutes to make his mark. With the U.S. already cruising and deep into stoppage time, the team strung together a sweeping move that carried the ball from end to end without a single Paraguayan touch. Alex Freeman slid a pass to Reyna at the edge of the box, and with two touches to set himself up, he curled a trivela, struck with the outside of his right foot, past goalkeeper Orlando Gill and into the far corner. It was his first World Cup goal and the 10th of his international career, and it sent Pochettino sprinting down the touchline to join the celebration.

Reyna marked the occasion by tucking the ball under his jersey and sucking his thumb, the traditional gesture for an expectant father. He revealed afterward that his wife, Chloe, is pregnant with the couple's first child, news he'd been sitting on for a couple of months while waiting for the right moment. He credited Chloe and his parents, former USMNT players Claudio and Danielle, with pushing him to be more aggressive and take more chances when the opportunity arises.

The goal also represented a measure of redemption. Reyna arrived at this tournament as one of Pochettino's more debated selections, having struggled for minutes at his German club and carrying baggage from the drama that overshadowed his role at the 2022 World Cup. Teammates, however, weren't surprised by the quality. Pulisic noted that Reyna shows that kind of skill in training regularly, adding that it was rewarding to see him produce it on the biggest stage.

For Reyna, the explanation was simple: he reacted instinctively, recognized the angle to the far post and let it fly.

Balogun Shines

Forward Scored Twice, Showing Why He Committed to the U.S.

Folarin Balogun delivered the kind of World Cup debut American soccer fans have long dreamed of, scoring twice in the U.S.'s 4-1 demolition of Paraguay to become the first USMNT player with a multi-goal World Cup match since 1930.

Both goals showcased different facets of his game. The first came from a clinical first-time finish off a Pulisic cross, while the second, just before halftime, saw him hold off a defender, cut inside another and curl a shot into the top corner. Pulisic raved about his teammate afterward, saying Balogun is "lethal right now in front of the goal" and praising not just the finishing but his ability to battle center backs and win fouls. When Balogun was substituted in the 71st minute, the crowd gave him a standing ovation.

Balogun's path to this moment has been unconventional. Born in Brooklyn to Nigerian parents, he moved to London within weeks of his birth and grew up entirely in England, becoming a standout in Arsenal's academy and representing England at the under-21 level. He was also eligible for Nigeria. But after struggling to break into Arsenal's first team, loan spells in France revived his career, and in 2023, he made the surprising decision to commit his international future to the United States.

Balogun has said the choice felt natural, calling it a "no-brainer" and describing the support from American fans as a major motivating factor in repaying that faith. His mother reportedly had long hoped he'd choose the U.S., a wish tied to circumstances around his birth in New York.

Since switching, Balogun has scored 11 goals in 28 USMNT appearances. Asked about his expectations heading into the tournament, he admitted that even his imagined debut didn't match what actually happened on the field Friday night.

Pulisic’s Strong First Half

Winger Leads the Americans to Victory With a Splendid First 45 Minutes

Christian Pulisic was the catalyst behind the USMNT's emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay in its World Cup opener, even though he didn't make it through the full match.

For the 45 minutes he was on the field, Pulisic was a constant problem for Paraguay's defense. He set up the opening goal in the seventh minute, slicing between two defenders before feeding Weston McKennie, whose pass deflected into the net off a Paraguay midfielder. Pulisic then drew a yellow card with a burst of speed, had a setup for Balogun wiped out by an offside call, and finally delivered the assist that counted, driving down the left flank in the 31st minute to tee up Balogun's opening goal.

By halftime, with the U.S. holding a commanding 3-0 lead, coach Mauricio Pochettino opted not to take any chances. Pulisic had been struggling to loosen up his left calf and was unable to properly warm up for the second half, so he was replaced by Sebastian Berhalter. Pochettino said the decision came together quickly, noting it was a late call but that things looked better by the time the substitution was made. He added that Pulisic had taken a kick to the area two days before the match and that the hope is it won't become a bigger issue, with optimism he'll be ready for the next game.

Pulisic downplayed the injury afterward, saying he took a knock early in the match and is hopeful it's nothing serious. He described the move as a precaution, pointed to having dealt with similar situations before, and said he's staying positive that he'll be fine within a few days.

With a full week before the U.S. faces Australia on June 19 in Seattle, there's time for Pulisic's calf to settle. After a performance that showed him at his sharpest, his health will be one of the top storylines heading into the next match.

Americans Dominate

The U.S. Came Out Firing, Rolling Past Paraguay to Open the World Cup

The United States opened its home World Cup campaign in spectacular fashion, dismantling Paraguay 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in front of 70,492 fans on Friday night, putting on a performance that lived up to the glitz of its Inglewood surroundings.

The breakthrough came early. In the seventh minute, Christian Pulisic split a pair of defenders with a sharp dribble and found Weston McKennie, whose pass deflected off Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla and rolled into the net for an own goal. It was the kind of fortunate bounce that can go either way early in a match, but the Americans made sure it set the tone rather than becoming a footnote.

From there, Folarin Balogun took over. The Monaco striker, making his World Cup debut, doubled the lead in the 31st minute by finishing off another driving run from Pulisic. Then, with the first half winding down, Malik Tillman sent a long ball forward for Balogun, who shook off a challenge and curled a left-footed strike into the top corner. It marked the first multi-goal performance by a U.S. player at the World Cup since Bert Patenaude's hat trick against Paraguay in 1930.

Pulisic didn't return for the second half, replaced by Sebastian Berhalter, though he appeared to wave off concerns to family members in the stands. Without him, the U.S. attack lost some of its rhythm, and Paraguay capitalized in the 73rd minute when a scrambled clearance led to a goal from substitute Mauricio.

The Americans had the final word, though. Gio Reyna, on as a late substitute, curled a shot with the outside of foot inside the far post in stoppage time for his first World Cup goal, sealing the 4-1 final and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

The result puts the U.S. atop Group D ahead of its next match against Australia on June 19 in Seattle.

Roster Recap

Each Player Described in 10 Words or Less

#1 Matt Turner — Veteran presence, reliable shot-stopper, strong in the air.

#2 Sergiño Dest — Versatile, attack-minded wing-back with European pedigree.

#3 Chris Richards — Defensive anchor, U.S. Soccer's 2025 male player of the year.

#4 Tyler Adams — Defensive engine, tenacious ball-winner, former Qatar captain.

#5 Antonee Robinson — Explosive left wing-back, capable of stunning attacking moments.

#6 Auston Trusty — Celtic's dependable defender, brings physicality and composure.

#7 Gio Reyna — Mercurial talent when healthy, capable of match-winning brilliance.

#8 Weston McKennie — Box-to-box warrior, brings goals and intensity from Juventus.

#9 Ricardo Pepi — Physical PSV striker, proven scorer with a nose for goal.

#10 Christian Pulisic — Captain America, the team's talisman and greatest threat.

#11 Brenden Aaronson — High-energy presser, dangles creativity. Chaos merchant.

#12 Miles Robinson — Aerial threat, competing to start alongside Ream.

#13 Tim Ream — Captain, 38-year-old veteran, composed and excellent in possession.

#14 Sebastian Berhalter — Young midfielder, disciplined and positionally smart. Dead-ball specialist.

#15 Cristian Roldan — Dependable, hardworking option, knows these venues intimately.

#16 Alex Freeman — Young Villarreal defender, athletic and quickly developing.

#17 Malik Tillman — Creative, technically gifted Leverkusen midfielder with big-game experience.

#18 Max Arfsten — Versatile domestic option with surprising attacking output.

#19 Haji Wright — Powerful, unpredictable forward with a knack for big moments.

#20 Folarin Balogun — Clinical Monaco striker, the No. 9 the U.S. has craved.

#21 Timothy Weah — Pacey Marseille winger, son of a legend, danger on the break.

#22 Mark McKenzie — Intelligent center-back, vocal leader with Toulouse experience.

#23 Joe Scally — Young, technically sound right-back based in Germany.

#24 Matt Freese — Likely starter, still proving himself at the international level.

#25 Chris Brady — One-cap youngster, Chicago Fire's rising shot-stopping talent.

#26 Alejandro Zendejas — Club América winger, brings flair and an X-factor option.

U.S. Versus Paraguay: A Soccer History

A Rivalry Forged in 1930: The History Between the USMNT and Paraguay

When the United States and Paraguay kick off Friday night in Los Angeles, it will mark the latest chapter in a rivalry that stretches back nearly a century—one defined by memorable moments, unexpected upsets and a healthy dose of competitive fire.

The story begins at the very first World Cup in 1930, when Bert Patenaude etched his name into the history books by scoring the competition's first-ever hat-trick, lifting the U.S. to a 3-0 group stage victory. It remains one of the most historically significant individual performances in American soccer history.

The two nations wouldn't cross paths again for 67 years. When they finally did, in a 1997 friendly in St. Louis, neither side could find the net in a scoreless draw. A second friendly followed in 1998, this one ending 2-2 with Chad Deering and Marcelo Balboa on the scoresheet for the U.S. Then in 2003, Landon Donovan and Earnie Stewart combined to power a comfortable 2-0 American win.

Paraguay got its revenge in the 2007 Copa América group stage, handing the U.S. a 3-1 defeat—their first loss in the series. They followed it up with a 1-0 friendly win in 2011, briefly flipping the momentum in the rivalry.

But the U.S. has dominated since. Clint Dempsey's lone goal won a 2016 Copa América group-stage meeting; Bobby Wood converted a penalty in a 1-0 victory in 2018; and, most recently, Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun, both on this World Cup roster, each scored in a 2-1 friendly win last November.

The all-time record stands at 5-2-2 (WDL) in favor of the United States. Friday night, both sides will be eager to add another memorable line to the ledger.

Knowing Paraguay

Paraguay Brings Grit, History and a Point to Prove

Don't let the 41st FIFA ranking fool you. Paraguay arrives at the 2026 World Cup as a team built for exactly this kind of moment, and the United States would be wise not to underestimate them.

La Albirroja are making their first World Cup appearance since 2010, when they reached the quarterfinals, which is the best run in the nation's history. That tournament showcased everything Paraguay is about: defensive solidarity, collective effort, and an almost stubborn refusal to be outworked. Under head coach Gustavo Alfaro, a 63-year-old Argentine who took over after the 2024 Copa América and immediately revived a struggling program, that identity is very much intact.

Alfaro guided Paraguay through a competitive qualifying campaign, highlighted by a stunning upset of world champions Argentina, to finish sixth in CONMEBOL and book their ticket to North America. Their World Cup preparation closed with a convincing 4-0 win over Nicaragua, though it came at a cost: creative midfielder Julio Enciso exited with a thigh injury, and his availability for Friday remains in doubt.

Enciso's absence would be significant. The 22-year-old RC Strasbourg forward is Paraguay's most dangerous creative force, capable of producing moments that change matches. Should he miss out, the burden shifts to 23-year-old Brighton midfielder Diego Gómez and Brazilian-born newcomer Maurício of Palmeiras, who has slotted smoothly into the setup. Atlanta United's Miguel Almirón adds pace and experience on the wing.

Historically, the U.S. holds the upper hand, owning a 5-2-2 all-time record against Paraguay, including a 2-1 friendly win last November. But Paraguay's grit is precisely what makes them dangerous in competitive environments, and this couldn't be more competitive.

The Dreamer from Murphy

Manager Pochettino Embraces the Weight of the Moment

There's a certain poetic symmetry to Mauricio Pochettino's current situation. A boy who fell in love with the World Cup watching Argentina lift the trophy in 1978 now stands on the other side of the dugout—not as a player or a fan, but as the head coach of a co-hosting nation with genuine aspirations of doing the same.

That phrase, "why not", has become something of a mantra. When President Trump asked whether the U.S. could win the tournament, Pochettino didn't hesitate. "First, because I believe it," he said. "And second, because when the biggest representative of a country asks… if the coach wavers, I'd kick him out."

The belief is genuine, but so is the nuance. Pochettino has spent his tenure trying to rewire a cultural mindset, teaching a group of players the difference between playing and competing, between participating and refusing to lose. His record with the national team stands at 15 wins, 10 losses and a draw heading into Friday.

He's also been deliberate about shielding his players from outside noise, including the politically charged atmosphere surrounding this tournament. His job, as he sees it, is singular: prepare a team to win football matches.

The lineup for the Paraguay opener remains a closely guarded secret. His players admitted this week there's been little clarity about who starts. For Pochettino, that's entirely by design. The dreamer from Murphy still has a few cards left to play.

Richards Ready

USMNT's Defensive Anchor Cleared for Paraguay Opener

For the United States men's national team, Friday night's World Cup opener against Paraguay just got a lot more promising.

Chris Richards, the defensive cornerstone of Mauricio Pochettino's squad, has declared himself fit and available after a troubling ankle injury threatened to sideline him for the tournament's opening match. The 26-year-old center back participated in a full training session earlier this week, which was the first time all 26 players were on the field together since camp began in May, and left little doubt about his intentions.

"When I first came out with the injury, I was pretty devastated," Richards said. "But I kind of forced myself back on the pitch to prove to myself that it was doable. Once I found out the diagnosis, it was, alright, how do I get ready for this game against Paraguay?"

The stakes of his availability can't be overstated. Richards is U.S. Soccer's reigning male player of the year, a distinction that reflects both his peers' respect and his rapid rise to becoming one of the Premier League's most well-rounded center backs. This past club season, he helped Crystal Palace claim the UEFA Conference League title, playing nearly every minute of the run until the final, before the ankle injury cut short his participation in the final stretch.

His skill set is tailor-made for Pochettino's system. Comfortable in a back three, adept at both front-foot and back-foot defending, and composed with the ball at his feet, Richards is far more than just a physical presence. He organizes the defensive line and can match up against a variety of striker types.

The final call belongs to Pochettino, but with Richards apparently healthy, the decision may already be made.

Stars, Stakes and Home Soil

The USMNT's Moment Has Arrived

The wait is finally over. After years of buildup, debate and anticipation, the United States men's national team opens its 2026 FIFA World Cup campaign Friday night against Paraguay in Los Angeles, and the mood around the squad couldn't be more electric.

Winger Tim Weah captured the feeling best when he spoke to reporters this week at the team's Orange County base camp. "Being on home soil is a dream come true," he said. "If we can do the job that we want to do, we make history."

That history-making ambition is backed by genuine talent. Christian Pulisic, the AC Milan attacking midfielder and team talisman, enters the tournament as the fastest American ever to reach 50 goal contributions for the national side. Folarin Balogun arrives from Monaco on the back of a scorching club season, with 11 goals in 14 games, and figures to be the clinical striker the U.S. has long lacked. Meanwhile, a glimpse of the team's attacking ceiling came in the June 6 friendly against Germany at Chicago's Soldier Field, where Antonee Robinson's thunderous finish had 63,000 fans roaring despite a 2-1 defeat.

Defensive health is the key question mark. Chris Richards, the team's linchpin center back, has been working around the clock to recover from an ankle injury and indicated this week he's ready to go—a massive potential boost for a back line that will need to be sharp against a Paraguay side not to be underestimated.

Head coach Mauricio Pochettino has preached clarity of purpose throughout the buildup. The group is experienced, European-tested, and hungry. The stage is set, the crowds are ready, and for this USMNT squad, the time for talking is done.

Defensive Concerns Loom Large

The USMNT is Dealing With a Leaky Defense Heading into the World Cup

The U.S. has now conceded 11 goals in four matches this year, and the back line that will be asked to carry this team deep into a home World Cup remains its most unsettling question mark.

Both goals against Germany illustrated the problem. Kai Havertz's second-minute header came from a free kick in which he was left completely uncovered, catching Matthew Freese flat-footed on his line. The second, just before the hour mark, saw Havertz slip a pass into a seam between Tim Ream and Miles Robinson, where Leroy Sané finished calmly beyond Freese's diving reach.

"There were times where you can see the eagerness in the team to go and press," Antonee Robinson acknowledged, "and at times we were a little bit disjointed in how we pressed. That's what good teams like Germany want you to do."

Compounding matters is the uncertain status of Chris Richards, who tore two ankle ligaments late in the Premier League season and sat out Saturday. Ream called him "a commanding center back and someone who's been relied on heavily over the past 18 months," and his absence, even temporarily, exposes just how thin the margin for error is defensively.

The U.S. also hasn't kept a clean sheet in eight matches. Against Paraguay, Australia, and Türkiye, they won't face Germany-level firepower. But they'll need to be better. Their World Cup run depends on it.

Robinson's Stunning Volley

Defender's Splendid Goal a Sign of Things to Come

If Antonee Robinson scores a goal like that when the World Cup begins, it'll be one of the moments of the tournament.

Robinson's 37th-minute equalizer against Germany on Saturday—a first-time volley he collected outside the box after a German clearance off a Christian Pulisic corner, then absolutely launched past Oliver Baumann—was the kind of individual moment that stops you cold. His former Fulham teammate Tim Ream admitted he was watching in disbelief from close range. "I had whiplash watching it go past everybody," Ream said.

For Robinson personally, it carried extra weight. He battled through a difficult knee injury this season, one whose recovery "didn't go as smoothly as I hoped," he said back in March upon returning to the national team fold after 16 months away. There were dark stretches. "Earlier in the season, I felt like I couldn't really see the light at the end of the tunnel," he admitted Saturday.

He sees it now. Robinson is one of the most important pieces of Pochettino's system — an unquestioned starter whose attacking runs and ball progression are central to how the U.S. functions going forward.

"Going into a World Cup, it means a lot," Robinson said of the goal. "A bit of freedom to shoot again if I'm in that position."

Friday can't come soon enough.

U.S. Falls to Germany

Despite a Stunning American Goal, the Germans Were More Ruthless in the Friendly Victory

The USMNT dropped its final pre-World Cup tuneup 2-1 to Germany on Saturday at a sold-out Soldier Field in Chicago, but the performance offered plenty of reasons for optimism heading into Friday's Group D opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium.

Things couldn't have started worse. Joshua Kimmich's free kick, earned after a Tyler Adams foul just outside the box, was headed home unchallenged by Kai Havertz in the second minute for his 22nd international goal—a nightmare opening for a defense that can't afford such lapses when the games count.

To their credit, the Americans responded well. Antonee Robinson leveled the match in the 37th minute, timing a left-footed volley off a German clearance from Christian Pulisic's corner to rocket a shot past Oliver Baumann from 23 yards out. Robinson celebrated his fifth international goal with a cartwheel and backflip.

The U.S. carried momentum into halftime, but Germany restored its lead just before the hour mark when a sharp pass through the penalty area found Leroy Sané for a composed first-time finish.

Pochettino subbed freely after that, with Matthew Freese the only player to go the full 90. Chris Richards remained sidelined with an ankle injury, adding some uncertainty to the backline ahead of what's shaping up to be a pivotal summer for American soccer.

U.S. Versus Germany: A Soccer History

The Germans Hold the Better Record, With the U.S. Having Some Stunning Victories

The United States and Germany have built one of soccer's more compelling international rivalries, meeting 12 times with Germany holding a dominant 8-0-4 (WDL) edge. Their history stretches back to June 13, 1993, when the two nations met at Chicago's Soldier Field—the same venue hosting Saturday's friendly—in a thrilling US Cup match that Germany won 4-3. Notably, German-American Thomas Dooley scored twice for the Americans that day. A rematch later that December ended in a more comfortable 3-0 German victory.

The rivalry took on greater stakes at the 1998 World Cup in France, where Germany dispatched the US 2-0 in the group stage with goals from Andreas Möller and Jürgen Klinsmann. Four years later came perhaps the most painful meeting of all—a 1-0 quarterfinal defeat in 2002, decided by a Michael Ballack goal and forever shadowed by a controversial, uncalled handball by Torsten Frings on the goal line.

The Americans have had their moments, though. A pair of wins in 1999—including a 2-0 group stage victory at the Confederations Cup—showed early promise. Then came the 2013 centennial celebration friendly, a jubilant 4-3 win featuring two Clint Dempsey goals, a Jozy Altidore strike, and a Marc ter Stegen own goal.

After Germany's 1-0 group stage win at the 2014 World Cup, with both sides advancing, the US responded the following year with a famous 2-1 comeback victory over the reigning world champions, sealed by Bobby Wood in the 88th minute. Germany reclaimed the bragging rights most recently in October 2023, winning 3-1 in Hartford despite a stunning early strike from Christian Pulisic.

Germany in Chicago

After a Friendly Win Over Finland at Home, Germany Comes to the U.S. For Its Final Friendly

Germany arrives in Chicago as one of the tournament favorites, carrying both immense talent and a few notable question marks into their final warm-up match against the United States at Soldier Field on Saturday.

Julian Nagelsmann's side is stacked with attacking quality. Kai Havertz comes in riding high after scoring Arsenal's lone goal in the Champions League Final against PSG in Budapest, while Florian Wirtz has netted three goals in international friendlies dating back to the March window. Deniz Undav matches that tally across just two appearances, giving Germany a genuinely dangerous forward line heading into the tournament.

Bayern Munich's fingerprints are all over the squad, with Joshua Kimmich, Jamal Musiala, and others forming the spine of Nagelsmann's setup. However, questions linger about whether that Bayern core can truly deliver. Musiala has been below his best in recent months, and Kimmich will be deployed at right back rather than his preferred central midfield role—an arrangement that carries risk.

The bigger uncertainty heading into Saturday is in goal. Veteran Manuel Neuer, who came out of international retirement to play in a fifth World Cup at age 40, has been sidelined with a calf muscle injury and was unable to train fully with the squad as recently as Thursday. A final call on his availability is expected Friday, with Oliver Baumann ready to step in if needed.

Tactically, Nagelsmann favors fluid systems and emotional intensity, though his tenure has drawn criticism for inconsistency. Germany will need their star players, particularly Wirtz, to perform against top-tier opposition if they are to go deep in the tournament.

Ready for Another Strong Performance

The USMNT Needs to Keep the Momentum Heading into the Match Against Germany

With one week to go before the 2026 World Cup kicks off on home soil, excitement is building rapidly around the U.S. men's national team as they prepare for their final pre-tournament tune-up against Germany at Soldier Field in Chicago on Saturday.

Coming off a confidence-boosting 3-2 friendly win over Senegal, the mood in camp is upbeat. Sergino Dest, who opened the scoring in that match, described it as a "great start" and called the Germany clash "a really important test." Despite the positive result, Dest was quick to keep expectations measured, noting that friendly matches carry a different kind of pressure than tournament football and that lineups and tactics often remain experimental.

One of the more encouraging signs from the Senegal game was the atmosphere. Dest expressed genuine surprise at the level of fan support inside Bank of America Stadium, saying a packed, pro-American crowd helps the team and even unsettles opponents. It offers a tantalizing preview of what awaits when the tournament begins in earnest.

Defender Joe Scally echoed the growing sense of anticipation, noting that excitement is building daily across social media and beyond. Still, the squad appears grounded. Midfielder Malik Tillman summed up the team's mindset simply: focus on the present, give everything, and leave no room for regret.

With a favorable group draw and home advantage in their corner, the USMNT head into their Germany matchup with momentum, clarity of purpose, and a fanbase that is finally, fully tuning in.

Mistakes Led to Both Goals Conceded

Multiple Mistakes Lead to a Tight Match Against Senegal

For all the attacking brilliance the United States displayed against Senegal on Sunday, the two goals they conceded served as a stark reminder of the defensive fragility that has dogged this team throughout Mauricio Pochettino's tenure.

The first came in the 44th minute, and it had a painfully familiar feel. Antonee Robinson, who had been impressive going forward throughout the first half, gave the ball away carelessly in midfield. The turnover immediately triggered a Senegalese counter, with Habib Diarra racing forward before sliding a composed pass through to Sadio Mané. With Tyler Adams beaten to the ball and Matt Turner unable to stop a well-placed low finish at the far post, Mané made no mistake. A 2-0 cushion had been gifted back, and the pattern of conceding right before halftime continued.

The second goal, seven minutes into the second half, was, if anything, even more damaging to watch because of how preventable it was. Miles Robinson, a veteran defender who should know better in those moments, played a loose back pass that was pounced on immediately by Jackson. Substitute goalkeeper Chris Brady, making his international debut, came rushing off his line but hesitated fatally, leaving himself in no man's land. Jackson had the presence of mind to lift the ball over the onrushing Brady, leaving Mané with a simple finish into an empty net.

The two goals brought Mané's international tally to 54, a Senegal record, and both came gift-wrapped by American mistakes rather than through any particularly brilliant buildup play from the visitors.

Pochettino acknowledged the issues were self-inflicted. "The chances that we concede were all through our mistakes," he said. "If we improve in the way we manage some situations, I think we will avoid them."

With Germany on Saturday and Paraguay on June 12, that improvement cannot come soon enough.

One Worrying Statistic

Conceding Before Halftime Continues to be an Issue Heading into the World Cup

The US men's national team has plenty of reasons for optimism heading into the World Cup, but a persistent and troubling pattern has emerged over their last four matches—one that Mauricio Pochettino will need to address before the tournament begins: an alarming inability to protect leads heading into halftime.

The trend started back in November against Uruguay. Leading 4-0 and cruising, the US switched off defensively and conceded a stunning overhead kick from Giorgian de Arrascaeta in stoppage time. Pochettino was visibly irritated, pulling no punches at the halftime whistle. "We need to keep our intensity and our concentration," he said. "That can't happen."

It happened again in March against Belgium. Weston McKennie had given the US a 1-0 lead in the 39th minute, only for Belgium to score twice before the break, flipping the game entirely. What followed was a humbling 5-2 defeat, one of the program's worst results in recent memory. Against Portugal days later, Francisco Trincão scored in the first half, and the US never recovered, falling 2-0 in a match they were rarely competitive in.

Then came Senegal. Despite holding a commanding 2-0 lead and playing some of their best soccer in months, the US again switched off in the final moments of the first half, allowing Sadio Mané to pull one back after an Antonee Robinson turnover. It was a nearly identical lapse to those that had undone them in previous matches.

The US recovered on Sunday and won, which is good news. But in a World Cup knockout match, surrendering a lead right before halftime could be fatal. The mental discipline to hold a lead for 45 minutes and enter the break with momentum intact is something Pochettino must demand before June 12.

Two Different Attacks Over Two Halves

Pochettino Made Wholesale Changes at Halftime, Giving Two Different Looks in Attack

The first half against Senegal offered a glimpse of what the United States could be at its absolute best. Pulisic and Ricardo Pepi built an almost instant chemistry, combining twice in the opening 20 minutes to put the US firmly in control. Pepi's movement pulled the Senegalese defense apart, creating the space that led to Sergiño Dest's opener—a goal that capped a remarkable 20-plus pass sequence involving every outfield player. Minutes later, Pepi sprung Pulisic again in behind, and the AC Milan man did the rest, rounding the goalkeeper to double the lead. Gio Reyna, making his first start since December, nearly got in on the act early but couldn't convert a low Pulisic cross that begged to be finished.

Then came halftime, and 10 new players, which included an entirely different attacking unit.

Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun brought a different kind of energy to the second half, one built on pressing, physicality and direct running. Balogun had the ball in the net twice, though one was ruled out for offside. Tillman had another called back after a Balogun "foul" in the build-up. When Balogun finally got one to stick in the 63rd minute, deflecting in off a Weah cross, it sealed a victory that felt thoroughly deserved.

What Sunday demonstrated more than anything is the kind of attacking depth this US squad possesses, something genuinely unprecedented for this program. Nine players, including Alejandro Zendejas, rotated through dangerous positions, and each looked capable of influencing a World Cup match. Any of them could realistically start the June 12 opener against Paraguay.

"We all know what we like. We know the qualities each of us have," McKennie said of the second-half group.

For Pochettino, that is an enviable problem to have, and for opponents, a genuinely unsettling one.

Pulisic Shines in the Victory

Winger Provided an Assist on the Opener Before Scoring One of His Own in the Win Over Senegal

For months, the narrative surrounding Christian Pulisic had become almost impossible to escape. America's best player hadn't scored for club or country since late December, a drought that stretched across 22 games and consumed nearly every conversation about the US men's national team heading into a home World Cup. The questions were relentless. The scrutiny was exhausting.

Pulisic, to his credit, never stopped believing. "I've felt this confidence," he said after Sunday's match. "I've played really well in recent months, too, but all people seem to care about is goals. So hopefully now people can stop talking about it."

They can. At least for now.

Against Senegal in Charlotte, the 27-year-old looked every bit the player who tore through Serie A in the fall, constantly probing, pulling defenders out of position and arriving in dangerous areas. His connection with Ricardo Pepi was the story of the first half, the two combining for both goals in a 20-minute stretch that reminded onlookers just how good this team can be when Pulisic is at his best. He set up Sergiño Dest's opener with a perfectly weighted cross, then calmly rounded goalkeeper Mory Diaw to slot home his 33rd international goal. When he dropped to his knees at the corner flag, fists pumping, the relief was written all over him.

Coach Mauricio Pochettino, who had publicly declared earlier in the week that Pulisic would score at the World Cup, pointed to the work his star put in during training as the foundation for what unfolded.

With Germany next Saturday and Paraguay in the World Cup opener on June 12, the timing could not be better. A player who carries the ceiling of an entire program finally looks like himself again, and that should worry everyone else.

Strong U.S. Beat Senegal

An Early Pair of Goals Sets the Tone in a Friendly Victory Before the World Cup

The United States men's national team picked up a confidence-boosting 3-2 victory over Senegal on Sunday in Charlotte, with Christian Pulisic delivering a standout performance that fans and coaches had been waiting months to see.

Pulisic had gone without a goal for club or country since late December, a drought spanning 22 games, but the AC Milan winger emphatically ended that run in front of nearly 58,000 fans. He set up Sergiño Dest's opener in just the seventh minute with a perfectly weighted cross, capping a slick team move, and then added a goal of his own in the 20th. Taking a through ball from Ricardo Pepi, Pulisic used a deft first touch to beat goalkeeper Mory Diaw before slotting home from a tight angle. The celebration—a sprint to the corner flag and a drop to his knees—said everything about what the moment meant. It was his 33rd international goal in 85 appearances, and the eighth time he has contributed both a goal and an assist in a single US match, a feat only Landon Donovan has surpassed in program history.

Senegal, no pushover, rallied through Sadio Mané, who scored on either side of halftime to bring the visitors level, with both goals stemming from avoidable American defensive errors that will concern coach Mauricio Pochettino heading into the World Cup. The go-ahead goal came in the 63rd minute from Folarin Balogun, who turned a deflected Tim Weah cross into the net to seal the win.

The result snapped a run of back-to-back losses from the March friendlies and gave the US real momentum heading into their final warmup, a June 6 clash against Germany in Chicago, before the tournament kicks off against Paraguay on June 12.

First Send-Off Friendly

USMNT Ready to Test Themselves Against Senegal in World Cup Dress Rehearsal

The countdown to the World Cup is almost over, and Sunday's friendly against Senegal in Charlotte represents the first real opportunity for Mauricio Pochettino's squad to show what this group is capable of ahead of the June 12 opener against Paraguay.

The match at Bank of America Stadium (3:30 p.m. ET, TBS) kicks off just under two weeks before group play begins, giving Pochettino valuable time to sharpen his tactical approach before a second tuneup against Germany in Chicago on June 6. With the roster finalized and the squad settled in at the new national training center outside Atlanta, the focus has shifted entirely toward execution.

The Americans enter the friendly with questions still swirling. A difficult March window that produced losses to Belgium and Portugal raised eyebrows, and the concerns about midfield depth that followed Pochettino's roster decisions remain unresolved on paper. Pochettino has hinted at a more possession-oriented system, saying "if we play with one holding midfielder, it's enough," suggesting Tyler Adams could anchor the middle with more attack-minded players around him.

Adams himself returns to the squad after an injury-disrupted club season, though he finished the year strongly with AFC Bournemouth. The captaincy question also lingers, with Tim Ream the likely choice to wear the armband again, though teammates like Weston McKennie have downplayed the significance. "The captaincy band is honestly just a symbol of who the referee talks to," McKennie said.

Senegal, ranked 14th in the world and two spots ahead of the U.S., offers a genuine challenge. Their ability to control possession and create chances through dangerous wingers like Ismaila Sarr and Sadio Mané will test a defense still awaiting the return of injured center back Chris Richards.

For this generation, the World Cup moment has nearly arrived.

Richards on the Bench for Conference Final

Defender Wins European Trophy, Eyes World Cup Return

Chris Richards capped a dramatic week by collecting a winner's medal as Crystal Palace claimed the UEFA Conference League title on Wednesday, defeating Rayo Vallecano 1-0 in Leipzig, though the American center back watched the entire match from the bench as Palace's medical staff deemed him not yet ready to feature.

The 26-year-old had suffered two torn ligaments in his left ankle during Palace's Premier League draw with Brentford on May 17, sparking immediate concern about his availability for the World Cup. He was subsequently left out of Palace's final league match and was the only member of Pochettino's 26-man squad absent from Tuesday's roster reveal in New York, instead submitting a video message from London.

His appearance on the bench in Leipzig, however, offered an encouraging sign. Palace manager Oliver Glasner had set a clear standard heading into the final, saying neither Richards nor midfielder Adam Wharton would play unless fully fit following late fitness tests. Wharton started, while Richards was held back, but simply being dressed for a European final suggested meaningful progress.

Richards is now expected to link up with the USMNT at the national training center in Georgia later this week. Pochettino, for his part, has remained measured in his assessment. "We don't know. We'll see tomorrow if he plays, and then we will decide," the coach said Tuesday. "We have time before the World Cup to make changes if needed."

That flexibility matters because Richards is widely considered Pochettino's most important defensive piece. He missed the 2022 World Cup with a hamstring injury and has waited years for this opportunity on home soil. With the U.S. opener against Paraguay set for June 12 in Los Angeles, the timeline for a full return remains tight, but very much alive.

Senegal Ready for the U.S.

A Golden Generation's Last World Cup Dance

When the USMNT takes the field Sunday in Charlotte against Senegal, they won't be facing just any warm-up opponent. The Lions of Teranga arrive in North America as one of Africa's most dangerous sides, and one with serious ambitions for this summer's tournament.

Coach Pape Thiaw has made no attempt to hide those aspirations. "If, even for a second, I doubted that I could win the World Cup with Senegal, then I would step aside," he declared earlier this year. Remarkably, the footballing world has largely taken him at his word.

The confidence isn't unfounded. Senegal qualified for the tournament undefeated, topping their CAF group with 24 points after a dominant campaign. Their squad boasts genuine world-class talent, headlined by all-time leading scorer Sadio Mané (51 international goals), defensive stalwart Kalidou Koulibaly, and veteran midfielder Idrissa Gueye, who leads the nation with 122 caps. Observers have called this a "golden generation" for whom the 2026 World Cup represents a now-or-never moment.

Senegal's strength stems from two sources: a network of productive domestic academies that have consistently supplied players to Europe's top leagues, and aggressive diaspora recruitment targeting French-born talent before they commit to other nations. The result is a squad blending experienced veterans with exciting young players like 18-year-old PSG forward Ibrahim Mbaye.

Their World Cup draw, however, is brutal. Placed in Group I alongside France, Norway, and Iraq, they will have their June 16 opener against France at MetLife Stadium as an immediate measuring stick.

Off the pitch, there's been minor turbulence around Thiaw's contract situation, though the Senegalese Football Federation has firmly denied reports of any travel disruptions tied to the issue, calling such suggestions "unfounded rumours."

Sunday's friendly in Charlotte kicks off at Bank of America Stadium.

Pochettino Navigates Rumors

Managers Dealt With Questions About His Next Job During World Cup Prep

With the 2026 FIFA World Cup just weeks away, USMNT head coach Mauricio Pochettino finds himself juggling tournament preparations alongside an unwanted off-field distraction: reported interest from AC Milan.

The story broke Thursday morning as the U.S. squad gathered at the newly opened Arthur M. Blank National Training Center outside Atlanta. Reports emerged that Pochettino had met with Milan representatives about their vacant coaching position following the dismissal of Massimiliano Allegri. When asked directly, Pochettino denied personally meeting with Milan officials, but left the door open regarding his representatives. "My representatives? It may be possible because they need to do their job," he said.

Despite the noise, U.S. Soccer CEO JT Batson firmly dismissed concerns about distraction. "I'm confident that Mauricio and team are 100 percent focused on this summer," Batson told reporters, noting that Pochettino's staff were among the first to arrive and last to leave the training facility.

Pochettino's contract expires following the tournament, and the Argentine hasn't hidden his desire to eventually return to club soccer in Europe, where he has homes in London and Barcelona. Still, he insists his commitment to the World Cup is ironclad.

On the football side, preparations appear well advanced. Pochettino reportedly had his preferred starting lineup locked in since before March camp. The team will play final tuneups against Senegal on May 31 in Charlotte and Germany on June 6 in Chicago before heading to their California base ahead of the June 12 opener against Paraguay in Los Angeles.

USMNT Release 2026 World Cup Roster

Manager Pochettino Named His 26-Man Roster on Tuesday

Mauricio Pochettino unveiled the United States Men's National Team's 26-player World Cup roster on Tuesday, May 26, during a star-studded event at Pier 17 in New York City, broadcast live on FOX. The team will now head to Atlanta to begin final preparations before two pre-tournament friendlies.

The selections were largely predictable, with 13 players returning from the 2022 Qatar squad, including marquee names like Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie and Tyler Adams. Pulisic leads the roster with 84 caps, making him the most experienced player on the team.

The forward group drew particular praise. Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright combined for 56 club goals this season, with Balogun scoring 19 for Monaco, Pepi also netting 19 to lead PSV Eindhoven to a Dutch title despite injury, and Wright bagging 18 to help Coventry City earn Premier League promotion.

The roster wasn't without controversy, however. The omission of Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who was shut down by his club due to a muscle strain, came as a "big surprise" to the player himself. Rather than replacing him with another midfielder like Aidan Morris, Pochettino instead added defender Joe Scally, a move that left the midfield looking thin on depth.

For the first time since MLS launched in 1996, all three goalkeepers on the roster—Chris Brady, Matt Freese, and Matt Turner—play in the domestic league. Notably, Brady becomes the first uncapped player named to a USMNT World Cup roster since Juergen Sommer in 1994.

The Americans open Group D play against Paraguay on June 12 in Los Angeles.

World Cup Roster Leaked

The Guardian Released the Roster Ahead of the Official Release on Tuesday

Mauricio Pochettino's 26-man World Cup roster leaked ahead of its official Tuesday unveiling in New York City, and the biggest story isn't who made it, it's who didn't. Lyon midfielder Tanner Tessmann, who featured in each of the last six USMNT games, was left off the squad despite being considered a likely starter before suffering a muscle injury. His absence leaves the midfield looking thin, with only four central or defensive midfielders on the squad: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Sebastian Berhalter, and Cristian Roldan.

On the positive side, Gio Reyna made the team despite not starting a club match since December, a testament to Pochettino's belief in the young attacker's creative ability. Club América winger Alejandro Zendejas was also confirmed on the roster, likely at the expense of Real Salt Lake's Diego Luna.

The defensive corps is notably heavy, with 10 defenders selected to compete for four or five starting spots. The USMNT opens World Cup play on June 12 against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Morris Playing for the Premier League

After the Southampton Controversy, Boro Play in the EFL Championship Play-Off Final

Aidan Morris and Middlesbrough are getting an unexpected second shot at Premier League promotion after Southampton's expulsion from the playoffs following a spying scandal, setting up a Championship final showdown with Hull City at Wembley Stadium on Saturday.

Middlesbrough originally fell to Southampton 2-1 on aggregate in the semifinals, with Morris logging 90 minutes in the first-leg draw at the Riverside before playing the full 120 minutes in the extra-time second-leg loss at St. Mary's. His 44 appearances this season already represent a career best for the USMNT midfielder.

The road back hasn't been without turbulence. Head coach Kim Hellberg admitted it was "impossible" for his players to train during the chaotic period of uncertainty surrounding Southampton's expulsion, leaving questions about their mental readiness heading into Saturday's showpiece.

Hull, meanwhile, has had over a week to prepare and boast a strong playoff pedigree, having won their previous two Championship playoff finals. They also handed Boro a 1-0 defeat at the Riverside back in December.

Still, the stakes couldn't be higher. The winner joins Coventry City and Ipswich Town in the Premier League next season, with Morris and Middlesbrough hoping to make their unlikely second chance count.