Best Match Under the New Manager

On This Day in 2024, Pochettino's Revolution Takes Shape as the U.S. Dismantles Jamaica

When Mauricio Pochettino accepted the United States coaching position on September 10, he inherited a program in crisis—not of talent, but of belief. The Copa América elimination had exposed a team that wilted under pressure, that defaulted to conservatism in crucial moments, and that seemed incapable of matching its considerable individual quality with collective performance when the stakes were highest. With less than two years until the 2026 World Cup kicked off on American soil, U.S. Soccer had bet its future on a coach whose résumé suggested he might finally extract maximum value from the most talented generation in program history.

The early evidence had been decidedly mixed. Against Panama in Austin on October 12, the Americans secured a 2-0 victory that provided psychological closure but revealed little about tactical evolution. Three days later, in Guadalajara, Mexico administered a harsh reality check in a 2-0 victory that exposed how much work remained. The performances offered more questions than answers about whether Pochettino's appointment represented a genuine transformation or merely a cosmetic change.

The CONCACAF Nations League quarterfinal against Jamaica represented his first competitive examination. The first leg in Kingston on November 14 produced a 1-0 victory built on Ricardo Pepi's early goal, Matt Turner's penalty save, and Jamaica's late red card. It was professional and necessary, but hardly the kind of dominant display that would ease concerns about the team's ceiling. Four days later, on November 18, the Americans delivered something altogether different.

With 21,080 fans packing CityPark in St. Louis and light rain beginning to fall, the United States dismantled Jamaica in a performance that offered the first genuine evidence that Pochettino's revolution might be taking hold. For 45 minutes, the Americans played the kind of football he had promised when he accepted the job—high-tempo, technically sophisticated, and utterly dominant. Three goals in a 28-minute stretch transformed what had been a nervous 1-0 aggregate advantage into a procession, with Christian Pulisic orchestrating the attack alongside Tim Weah and Weston McKennie. "We came out really hot," Pulisic said afterward. "We should definitely feel good after these results. We're obviously learning a lot of new things with the new coach."

Pochettino made just one change to his starting lineup, inserting Weah for the injured Johnny Cardoso. The decision carried profound symbolic weight—Weah's last appearance in a U.S. jersey had been the red card against Panama that catalyzed the Copa América disaster. His return represented not just roster management but an act of faith in redemption. The tactical setup revealed Pochettino's sophistication. Left back Antonee Robinson inverted into central areas alongside Tanner Tessmann, creating numerical superiority in buildup while Yunus Musah dropped from his right midfield position. Joe Scally pushed higher on the right, and Pulisic drifted wide into the space Robinson had vacated, with Weah maintaining his position on the left wing. The rotations confused Jamaica's defensive structure and created the kind of positional fluidity that had been absent under Gregg Berhalter's more rigid system.

In the 13th minute, the breakthrough arrived. Weston McKennie, operating in a more advanced central role, launched a perfectly weighted long ball over Jamaica's backline. Pulisic timed his run to perfection, meeting the ball on the short hop just inside the penalty area and driving it past the onrushing Andre Blake. The goal was Pulisic's 32nd for the national team, moving him within two of Eric Wynalda for fourth place on the all-time scoring list. The second goal arrived in the 33rd minute through another sequence that began deep in the American half. McKennie sent a diagonal pass toward the top of the box. Tessmann, demonstrating situational awareness that comes from clear tactical instruction, let the ball run through his legs. The dummy froze Jamaica's defenders, and Pulisic's low shot deflected off Di'Shon Bernard's left leg and zipped into the opposite corner. CONCACAF would later rule it an own goal, but the creation belonged entirely to American ingenuity.

By halftime, the match had been effectively decided. Pepi added a third goal in the 42nd minute, collecting a loose clearance from Robinson at the top of the box and unleashing a ferocious right-footed drive into the lower right corner—his first international goal from outside the penalty area and his second in as many matches. "Just about perfect," captain Tim Ream said of the first-half performance. "The movements and the dynamic and getting everybody involved from the get-go, exactly the way we talked about it in the last couple days."

The second half, played in increasingly heavy rain and wind, offered a different kind of test. Jamaica responded through Demarai Gray's side-volley in the 53rd minute, briefly threatening to make the Americans uncomfortable. But Weah answered three minutes later with a moment of individual brilliance that felt like personal catharsis. Musah's cross found him with time and space on the left side of the penalty area. Weah settled the ball calmly before smashing a right-footed half-volley over Blake and just under the crossbar for his seventh international goal. "It's beautiful to see it come together," Weah said afterward, the relief evident in his voice. "That first half was really good and I am excited to see where we can take it."

Gray would add a second goal for Jamaica in the 68th minute, converting a rebound after Turner made a diving save, but the outcome had long since been determined. When the final whistle confirmed the 4-2 victory and 5-2 aggregate triumph, the Americans had secured not just progression to the semifinals but something more valuable—tangible evidence that Pochettino's vision could translate to results. The performance carried particular resonance given the venue and circumstances. Ream, at 37 the oldest player on the roster, captained the team in his hometown. Pulisic, substituted in the 69th minute to a standing ovation, became the fastest player in U.S. history to reach 50 goal contributions, achieving the milestone in just 76 appearances.

The match provided the clearest indication yet that the Americans were beginning to internalize Pochettino's core principles. The positional rotations, the aggressive pressing, the willingness to take risks in possession—these were not merely tactical adjustments but evidence of a mentality shift that had seemed impossible during Copa América's dark summer. The victory secured the United States' place in the semifinals, scheduled for March 20 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California, where they would defend their title as three-time defending Nations League champions. More importantly, it provided a foundation of belief heading into what would be a long winter without the full player pool—Pochettino's next camp would feature primarily MLS-based players for a January 18 friendly against Venezuela, with most European-based regulars unavailable outside the FIFA international window.

The dismissal of Berhalter after Copa América had represented an acknowledgment that potential without results was insufficient. Four matches into Pochettino's tenure, the evidence remained incomplete—friendlies against Panama and Mexico, followed by two matches against a Jamaica side that would finish outside the top 50 in FIFA rankings. But the first-half performance against Jamaica offered something that had been notably absent during Copa América: proof that this generation of American players, when properly organized and confidently directed, could produce the kind of football that justified the program's lofty ambitions.

As Pochettino addressed his players after the match, he emphasized not the victory itself but the journey ahead. "My advice is look after yourself," he told them, knowing the team would not reconvene at full strength until March. "We need to be stronger in March. We need to be desperate to arrive by March and to be all together. That is a sign that we improve a lot and then we start to feel that we are a real group of people, that we are going to fight for something special."

Just six camps with the top player pool remained before Pochettino would select his 2026 World Cup roster. The performance against Jamaica suggested the revolution had begun, but revolutions are measured not in single matches but in sustained excellence against elite opposition. For a program that had spent the summer confronting its limitations, the dominant victory represented progress—meaningful, measurable, and desperately needed. Whether it would prove sufficient when the stakes reached their peak in 2026 remained the question that would define not just Pochettino's tenure but the legacy of an entire generation.

The dream of proving themselves among soccer's elite, deferred so painfully in Kansas City four months earlier, was being rebuilt one performance at a time. On a rainy November night in St. Louis, with Weah's redemptive goal still echoing and Pulisic's celebration still fresh, it felt possible again.

USA-Uruguay: A Soccer History

 The South American Team Leads the Series With a 3-4-2 (WDL) Record

The soccer rivalry between the United States and Uruguay spans a century, featuring nine meetings that tell the story of American soccer's evolution against one of South América's most decorated teams. Their first encounter took place during the 1924 Olympics Round of 16 in Paris, where Uruguay defeated the Americans 3-0 en route to claiming the tournament title.

The two nations wouldn't meet again for 62 years, finally reconvening at the 1986 Miami Cup in a 1-1 draw featuring Bruce Murray's goal for the U.S. The series continued sporadically through the 1990s. Peter Vermes scored the winner in a 1-0 American victory in 1991, while Uruguay responded with a 1-0 Copa América group stage win in 1993. A 1995 friendly ended 2-2 after being abandoned in the 84th minute due to severe rain, with John Kerr and Earnie Stewart finding the net for the U.S.

The Americans' most memorable victory came on May 12, 2002, just before the World Cup, when Tony Sanneh and DaMarcus Beasley scored in a 2-1 triumph. More recent meetings have been tighter affairs: Jordan Morris earned a 1-1 draw in 2019, followed by a scoreless stalemate in 2022.

The most painful encounter occurred on July 1, 2024, at the Copa América in Kansas City. Uruguay's Mathías Olivera scored in the 66th minute—a goal that stood after a lengthy VAR review despite American protests about offside. The 1-0 defeat, combined with Panama's simultaneous victory over Bolivia, eliminated the U.S. from the group stage of a tournament hosted on home soil for the first time in program history.

That loss also cost Gregg Berhalter his job and marked a low point for American soccer. The U.S., playing without suspended winger Tim Weah and losing striker Folarin Balogun to injury, struggled to create chances against Uruguay's organized defense. The embarrassing exit raised serious questions about the program's readiness for the 2026 World Cup.

Uruguay: The USMNT's Next Test

After a Goalless Draw With Mexico, Uruguay Will Travel to Tampa

Uruguay arrives in Tampa for Tuesday's friendly against the United States riding momentum from a solid year, despite their goalless draw with Mexico on Saturday. The South American side represents the USMNT's toughest test in recent memory as they continue preparations for the 2026 World Cup.

Managed by the demanding Marcelo Bielsa, Uruguay eased through South American qualifying and finished third at the 2024 Copa América, where they defeated the United States 1-0 in the group stage. La Celeste has lost just three of their last 16 matches, demonstrating the consistency that makes them such a formidable opponent.

Bielsa's 28-man roster blends experience with emerging talent. Veterans like Atlético Madrid captain José María Giménez, Barcelona's Ronald Araújo, Tottenham's Rodrigo Bentancur, and Flamengo playmaker Giorgian de Arrascaeta anchor the squad. However, notable absences include Real Madrid star Federico Valverde, sidelined due to ongoing back issues following a grueling season, along with Darwin Núñez and Lucas Torreira.

The main surprise inclusion is Santiago Homenchenko, a midfielder currently on loan from Pachuca to Querétaro. The Under-20 World Cup champion has impressed Bielsa with four goals in his last five matches, as well as strong defensive contributions, reflecting the coach's commitment to developing young Uruguayan talent.

Against Mexico in Torreón, Uruguay fielded several Brazilian-based players who impressed despite the scoreless result. Palmeiras left-back Joaquín Piquerez and midfielder Emiliano Martínez started alongside Flamengo right-back Guillermo Varela, seamlessly translating their club form to the international stage. Another Palmeiras player, striker Facundo Torres, provided fresh energy after coming on in the second half.

Uruguay's defensive solidity makes them extremely difficult to break down, though without Valverde and Núñez, they lack some attacking punch. Still, for a USMNT side missing Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tyler Adams, and others, Uruguay presents the perfect opportunity to measure their World Cup readiness against elite opposition.

Dempsey's International Debut

On This Day in 2004, the Program's Joint-Top Scorer Makes His First Appearance

Rain fell steadily over Columbus on November 17, turning Crew Stadium into something less than a theater and more like a proving ground. Just over 9,000 supporters scattered themselves across the lower bowl, their presence muted by weather and circumstance. The United States had already secured a spot in the final qualifying round. Jamaica needed victory to survive, but Panama's simultaneous demolition of El Salvador had rendered even that mathematics irrelevant before the evening concluded. What remained was something Bruce Arena valued more than the result itself: an opportunity to examine the futures he might need in six months.

Among those futures sat Clint Dempsey, 21 years old, wearing the Major League Soccer Rookie of the Year honor he had received just the day before. The recognition symbolized his unlikely ascent—from a prospective defensive midfielder buried on New England's depth chart to one of the league's most productive attacking forces, having scored seven goals in 21 matches despite missing five games with a broken jaw that he had initially played through undiagnosed. He had entered the Revolution camp as a reserve behind Shalrie Joseph. He had emerged as essential, a driving force whose hunger Arena had noticed during the national team's training week.

"When you don't make it into the lineup, it makes you more hungry," Dempsey had reflected before traveling to Columbus, "and you want to do that much more to reach the next level."

The evening would test precisely that hunger, though not in the ways Arena might have anticipated. Debuts in meaningless matches carry their own peculiar pressure—the absence of consequence creates a vacuum where evaluation becomes everything. There would be no rescue goals, no dramatic clinching moments to obscure imperfection. Just cold rain, a sparse crowd, and Arena's clinical assessment of whether a rookie midfielder possessed the composure to function when nothing and everything hung in balance.

The match opened with the urgency Arena demanded despite qualification already secured. The Americans pressed forward, and in the 15th minute, they produced a sequence that suggested professional standards would not be abandoned simply because mathematics no longer mattered. Pablo Mastroeni threaded a pass down the right channel where Eddie Johnson—the 20-year-old sensation who had announced himself with four goals in two previous matches—controlled with his right foot before striking left-footed past Donovan Ricketts. The finish carried the poise of a player whose confidence had calcified into certainty. Johnson had now scored in each of his first three international appearances, only the second American since 1937 to achieve that distinction. The ball had barely settled in the net before he nearly doubled the advantage, first pressuring a clearance in the fourth minute, then whiffing an open chance from twelve yards, then hammering a shot directly at Ricketts.

But Jamaica possessed neither the luxury of experimentation nor the willingness to accept elimination passively. In the twenty-fourth minute, coach Sebastiao Lazaroni made his decisive substitution, replacing Damion Stewart with Jermaine Hue, one of the Reggae Boyz's most obscure selections. Hue announced himself with his first touch, spinning away from two American defenders and injecting dynamism into Jamaica's midfield that had been absent. Three minutes later, he disrupted possession again, found Ricardo Gardner advancing from left back, and suddenly the Americans found themselves out of balance. A throw-in allowed Portsmouth striker Ricardo Fuller to drift along the end line, where Ramiro Corrales—one of Arena's experimental selections, a defender earning World Cup qualifying experience for the first time—brought him down inside the penalty area. Andy Williams, the former Revolution midfielder, converted the penalty in the 27th minute, and the scoreline read level.

Arena made his substitution in the 66th minute. Dempsey replaced Corrales and entered a match whose emotional temperature had shifted but whose tactical demands remained unclear. The Americans were playing to win despite having nothing tangible to gain. Jamaica was playing with desperation tempered by distant mathematics. And then, seven minutes after Dempsey's entrance, the variables collapsed entirely. Oguchi Onyewu, cautioned once already, received his second yellow card in the 73rd minute and departed, leaving the United States to navigate the final 17 minutes with 10 men and a midfield anchored by a rookie making his international debut.

Dempsey absorbed the complexity without visible panic. His touches were accurate, his positioning sound, his understanding of when to release possession and when to advance suggesting a player whose tactical intelligence exceeded his experience. And then, in the eighty-sixth minute, he produced the moment that would define his debut in the memories of those witnessing it.

Receiving the ball deep in American territory with Jamaica committed forward and space materializing ahead, Dempsey accelerated. 50 yards stretched before him—open grass, retreating defenders, the penalty area drawing closer with each stride. He drove forward with the kind of audacity that separates players who survive from players who impose, his legs churning through fatigue, his vision fixed on the goal that grew larger as defenders converged from multiple angles. He reached the penalty area, defenders closing, the angle narrowing, his lungs emptying, and finally—finally—the accumulated exhaustion caught him. The shot never came. The moment dissolved not from poor decision-making or technical failure but from the simple reality that a twenty-one-year-old midfielder playing his first international match had run out of fuel at precisely the moment opportunity demanded more.

"I made some rookie mistakes, giving the ball away," Dempsey said afterward, his assessment characteristically direct, "but I got positive feedback. I did some good things, as well. We were playing to win and [Arena] told me he wanted me to get involved in the attack, that the defensive midfield was a little too conservative, and to take it at them a little."

The final whistle confirmed what Panama's three-goal victory over El Salvador had already guaranteed: Jamaica would not advance. The Reggae Boyz, expected by many to join the United States in the final round, finished their campaign at one win, six losses, and three draws under Lazaroni—a collapse that stood as one of qualifying's most surprising narratives. Panama, improbably, would join Mexico, Guatemala, Costa Rica, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States in February's hexagonal, where the top three would secure passage to Germany.

For the Americans, the evening carried significance that transcended the draw. Arena had extended the unbeaten streak against regional competition to twenty-nine matches. More importantly, he had gathered intelligence on players who might be required when the qualification transformed into tournament play. Jonathan Spector, the 18-year-old Manchester United defender and grandson of original Boston Celtic Art Spector, had looked composed in his debut. Dempsey had demonstrated hunger and tactical understanding even as fatigue overwhelmed ambition in the final minutes.

And Johnson, departing for a training arrangement with Manchester United the following week, had now scored five goals in his first sixty-one minutes of national team playing time—a conversion rate that bordered on absurd and suggested European clubs monitoring his progress had sound reason for their attention.

Yet Dempsey's 50-yard run lingered in a way Johnson's goal did not. Goals in blowouts and goals in dead rubbers carry their own weight, but they rarely reveal character. That sprint—desperate, audacious, ultimately unsuccessful—had revealed something Arena valued more than clinical finishing in a match without consequence. It revealed a player who understood that debuts without drama still demanded everything, that evaluation never ceased, that the absence of stakes created its own pressure more revealing than any scoreboard.

"Playing for the national team is something I used to think about when I was little," Dempsey had said before the match, reflecting on practices that felt faster than games, on preparation that would serve him when he returned to New England for the following season.

In Columbus, on a cold November evening, that had been enough. The road to Germany continued, and Dempsey—rookie of the year, future consideration, 21-year-old midfielder from Nacogdoches who had learned the game in a trailer park among Hispanic immigrants—now traveled it as well. Not as a passenger, but as someone Arena had judged capable of contributing. The work of building a World Cup team, Arena understood, rarely announced itself with coronations. Sometimes it revealed itself in rain, in front of 9,000 supporters, in a 50-yard sprint that ended without a shot but confirmed everything a coach needed to know about hunger.

Scuffle to Conclude the Paraguay Match

With the Clock Winding Down, the U.S. Still Did Not Give an Inch

What started as a competitive but controlled friendly between two World Cup-bound nations descended into chaos in the dying moments at Subaru Park on Saturday night, as a dispute over possession sparked a bench-clearing brawl that overshadowed the United States' 2-1 victory over Paraguay.

The incident erupted in the 91st minute when USMNT defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay captain Gustavo Gómez wrestled over a ball that had rolled out of bounds. The match official appeared to signal for an American throw-in, but both players refused to relinquish possession, triggering a physical altercation that quickly escalated.

Within seconds, players from both benches flooded onto the field. Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson were among the first to sprint into the fray, followed by nearly every player from both matchday squads. Punches were thrown amid the melee, and at one point, Freeman shoved a Paraguayan player who had grabbed hold of him outside the main scrum. A bottle was even thrown toward the pitch from the stands during the chaos.

USMNT coach Mauricio Pochettino became an unintended casualty when he attempted to intervene. After trying to get in front of his players, Pochettino was knocked to the ground near the camera bank. Fortunately, Paraguay coach Gustavo Alfaro witnessed the fall and helped his counterpart to his feet. "I'm lucky that Alfaro saw me and helped me up," Pochettino said gratefully.

The incident resulted in six yellow cards and a red card for Paraguay's Omar Alderete, who wasn't even in the match as a player. Despite condemning the brawl, goalkeeper Matt Freese praised his teammates' solidarity. "There were a few cheap shots thrown from their end, to be honest," Freese said. "But that's part of being a team, we'll be sticking up for each other no matter the moment."

Gio's Redemption

Reyna Scores on His USMNT Return

Gio Reyna's journey back to scoring for the United States national team has been nothing short of tumultuous, making Saturday's performance against Paraguay all the more significant for the 23-year-old midfielder.

Once considered American soccer's brightest prospect—becoming the youngest American to appear in the Bundesliga at 17 years and 66 days—Reyna's career has been derailed by injuries, controversies and diminishing playing time. His promising start at Borussia Dortmund faded amid fitness issues, and his involvement in the 2022 World Cup saga permanently altered his standing. After then-coach Gregg Berhalter nearly sent him home for poor training effort, Reyna's parents revealed a decades-old domestic abuse allegation against Berhalter, triggering a messy public fallout that temporarily cost Berhalter his job.

Since that watershed moment, Reyna has struggled to find stability. A loan spell at Nottingham Forest yielded minimal impact—just 10 appearances and no goals. He managed only 341 league minutes at Dortmund throughout 2024-25 before making a permanent €7 million move to Borussia Mönchengladbach last August. Even there, he's started just once while battling another thigh injury.

His recall to Mauricio Pochettino's November squad came as a surprise given his lack of game time. Reyna hadn't started for club or country since September 14, and that had been his first start since March. Yet Pochettino's faith proved warranted. Starting against Paraguay marked Reyna's first international start since the Copa América—the final game under Berhalter. Within four minutes, he scored with a header, surpassing his father Claudio's eight international goals. The playmaker then assisted Folarin Balogun's winner in the 71st minute, logging 75 minutes without issue.

"It was an opportunity for me to show that I belong here," Reyna said afterward, crediting Pochettino for giving him "freedom and confidence." For a player desperate to redefine himself beyond injuries and controversy, Saturday represented a crucial step toward redemption and World Cup inclusion.

USMNT Beat Paraguay

Goals From Reyna and Balogun Were the Difference in a "Friendly" Victory

The United States men's national team secured a hard-fought 2-1 victory over Paraguay on Saturday night in a friendly that ended in dramatic fashion with a bench-clearing brawl at Subaru Park in Philadelphia.

Gio Reyna provided the spark for the Americans, scoring just four minutes into the match—his first international start in 16 months. The 23-year-old, celebrating two days after his birthday, rose to meet Max Arfsten's cross with a header that glanced off goalkeeper Orlando Gill's fingertips and bounced in off the crossbar. The goal was particularly meaningful as it gave Reyna nine career international goals, surpassing his father Claudio's total of eight for the national team.

Paraguay responded quickly, equalizing in the 10th minute when Junior Alonso's long ball found Miguel Almirón, whose cross was headed home by Álex Arce past goalkeeper Matt Freese. The decisive moment came in the 71st minute after substitute Diego Luna forced a turnover. Folarin Balogun collected the loose ball and found Reyna, whose cut-back pass deflected off Damián Bobadilla before Balogun finished to restore the American lead.

The match's intensity boiled over in stoppage time when defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay captain Diego Gómez wrestled for a loose ball near the touchline, triggering a melee that drew both benches onto the field. Paraguay's Omar Alderete received a red card despite not being in the game.

"That type of situation is very, very, very dangerous," said U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino, who was knocked into the camera area during the fracas before being helped up by his Paraguayan counterpart Gustavo Alfaro. Despite condemning the brawl, Pochettino praised his team's competitive spirit and noted the importance of such intense matches ahead of the 2026 World Cup. The victory extended the Americans' unbeaten streak to four matches, continuing their positive momentum under Pochettino.

U-17 Eliminated

The Americans Fall in a Penalty Shootout to Morocco

The United States U-17 team suffered heartbreaking elimination from the FIFA U-17 World Cup in Qatar, falling to Morocco 4-3 on penalties after a dramatic 1-1 draw in the Round of 32. The devastating loss marks the third consecutive youth tournament elimination at the hands of Morocco, following defeats at the 2024 Olympics and the U20 World Cup earlier this year.

Coach Gonzalo Segares' squad appeared destined for the Round of 16 after dominating much of the match. Philadelphia Union academy product Jude Terry gave the Americans a 21st-minute lead, finishing clinically after connecting with a precise pass from teenage sensation Cavan Sullivan. The U.S. had been impressive throughout the group stage, becoming only the second American team to win all three group matches at this tournament, scoring four goals while conceding just one.

The match turned on two crucial penalty decisions. In the 74th minute, the United States was awarded a penalty that could have sealed victory, but Mathis Albert's attempt was sent wide. Morocco was also denied a possible penalty of their own during the intense contest. Morocco's relentless pressure finally paid off in the 89th minute when Abdellah Ouazane scored a spectacular equalizer, forcing the penalty shootout. Despite Ouazane going off injured, Morocco held their composure when it mattered most.

In the shootout, Bellaarouch became the hero, saving two American penalties. While Sullivan, Chase Adams, and Albert converted their attempts, both Maximo Carrizo and Cooper Sanchez failed from the spot, allowing Morocco to advance. The elimination represents a crushing disappointment for a talented U.S. squad featuring promising prospects. Sullivan, who has already featured in MLS this season, was particularly impressive, directly contributing to four of the team's five tournament goals with two goals and two assists.

Paraguay Ready for U.S. Test

Los Guaraníes Struggled in Recent Matches Against Japan and South Korea

Paraguay arrives in Pennsylvania riding high on the success of World Cup qualification, but seeks to rediscover its scoring touch ahead of next summer's tournament. Under coach Gustavo Alfaro, Los Guaraníes secured the final automatic CONMEBOL berth for the 2026 World Cup, marking their return to the global stage for the first time since 2010. They finished sixth in the grueling South American qualifying campaign, with seven wins, seven draws, and four losses, accumulating 28 points and a positive goal difference.

However, recent form suggests Alfaro has significant work ahead. Paraguay has won just one of their last five matches across all competitions—a narrow 1-0 victory over Peru. More concerning is their attacking struggles, as they failed to score in three of those five contests. Their most recent outing saw them fall 2-0 to South Korea, following a disappointing collapse against Japan, where they surrendered a 2-1 lead with a goal conceded in the 90+4th minute.

The South Americans bring an MLS-heavy roster to Chester, featuring several familiar names for American audiences. Atlanta United's Miguel Almirón headlines the group after his return to MLS following six years with Newcastle United in the Premier League. Real Salt Lake's Braian Ojeda and Vancouver Whitecaps' Andrés Cubas provide additional MLS representation, while defender Omar Alderete has impressed at Sunderland since his summer move. 21-year-old forward Julio Enciso, currently on loan from Brighton to Strasbourg, offers attacking flair.

Veteran defender Gustavo Gómez can make history this weekend, potentially moving into sole possession of eighth place on Paraguay's all-time caps list, surpassing Celso Ayala's mark of 85 appearances.

Paraguay hasn't defeated the United States since a 2011 friendly in Nashville and will be eager to break that drought. Their tactical flexibility—alternating between 4-4-2 and 4-2-3-1 formations—provides Alfaro options as his team continues preparations for their World Cup return.

USA-Paraguay: A Soccer History

The U.S. Holds a 4-2-2 (WDL) Record Against the South American Side

The United States and Paraguay share a fascinating soccer history that spans nearly a century, beginning with one of the most memorable moments in World Cup lore. When the teams first met at the 1930 World Cup, the Americans secured a commanding 3-0 victory featuring Bert Patenaude's historic hat-trick—the first ever recorded in World Cup competition.

Following that inaugural encounter, the two nations wouldn't face each other again for 67 years. Their next meeting took place in 1997, resulting in a scoreless draw that marked the beginning of more regular competition. A year later, in March 1998, Chad Deering and Marcelo Balboa found the net in a 2-2 draw as both teams prepared for that summer's World Cup.

The early 2000s saw the United States assert dominance in the friendly series. In July 2003, American stars Landon Donovan and Earnie Stewart each scored in a comfortable 2-0 victory. However, competitive tournament play proved more challenging. At the 2007 Copa America, Paraguay handed the U.S. a 3-1 defeat in the group stage, exposing the gap between friendly results and high-stakes competition.

The rivalry continued to fluctuate through the 2010s. Paraguay claimed a 1-0 victory in a friendly in 2011, but when the stakes were highest, the Americans delivered. At the 2016 Copa America held on home soil, Clint Dempsey's 27th-minute strike secured a crucial 1-0 group stage win for the United States.

The most recent chapter came in a 2018 friendly when Bobby Wood converted a penalty kick in the 45th minute to deliver another 1-0 American victory. Overall, the United States holds a narrow 4-2-2 (WDL) record against the South American side—a competitive balance that reflects relatively even matchups despite the teams' different confederation strengths.