How USMNT could start World Cup opener vs Paraguay

USMNT predicted – Christian Pulisic’s mindset will matter, but so will who Mauricio Pochettino trusts from the first whistle. With SoFi Stadium set for a 9 p.m. ET kickoff against Paraguay, here’s the projected USMNT XI, including a goalkeeper decision still in play and a key a

For USMNT, the World Cup doesn’t begin with hype—it begins with the first lineup card on the table. A week after Mauricio Pochettino appeared to outline his opening approach by naming a team against Germany that looked close to his preferred group. the stakes rise again for Friday night’s opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.

The adjustment came down to one player’s health: Chris Richards continued to sit with an ankle injury when that Germany XI was set. Now. Richards has declared himself fit for the Paraguay match. and the question becomes how much risk Pochettino is willing to take with a player who hasn’t seen the field in a month.

Even with the lineup still a prediction. the shape of the team feels familiar—anchors in defense. a workmanlike midfield. and Christian Pulisic given the kind of freedom that turns scrappy moments into scoring chances. Pulisic, the U.S. forward. has talked about his mindset heading into the biggest tournament in the world. and Friday night is when that focus has to show.

The projected USMNT XI for Paraguay starts with goalkeeper Matt Freese. That spot is still described as up in the air. but the expectation is that Pochettino sticks with Freese when it comes to the moment of truth. The reasoning is simple: Freese started 12 straight games last year. and the other option. Matt Turner. hasn’t quite done enough to wrest the position away.

In front of him, the defense is expected to feature Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, and Alex Freeman. Despite Richards declaring himself fit. the projection is that Pochettino will exercise caution with him given the time away from the field. Robinson is slotted just ahead of Mark McKenzie, keeping the back line steady and structured.

On the flanks, Sergino Dest and Antonee Robinson are projected as wingbacks. The team’s attacking edge is expected to come from wide areas, with Dest positioned more like a winger than a defender, and Robinson providing another outlet as plays build toward the box.

Midfield should rotate into a familiar rhythm: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, and Malik Tillman. Adams is projected as the No. 6, tasked with cover that allows McKennie to push further forward. Tillman’s role is flagged as the one to watch. Against Germany, he was often deployed deep, despite being known more as a No. 10, and the same flexibility could shape how the U.S. controls the game’s middle.

Up front, Folarin Balogun is projected as the No. 9, aiming to attack the space in behind Paraguay’s defenders—runs toward the back shoulders. With Paraguay likely to set up deeper. the projection emphasizes Balogun’s hold-up play as a key piece of the U.S. plan. Christian Pulisic then becomes the chess piece on the move. expected to float and search the half-spaces where he has been at his most dangerous.

Put together, the projection for the USMNT XI to face Paraguay is: Freese; Dest, Ream, M. Robinson, Freeman, A. Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Tillman; Pulisic, Balogun.

SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles will host the game, with the match set to start at 9 p.m. ET.

Within the wider tournament, the U.S. sits in Group D alongside Mexico. and the broader group structure includes Group A (Mexico) alongside Groups B. C. E. F. G. H. I. J. K. and L. But for now, the spotlight is narrower. The U.S. needs a clean start—because in a tournament this unforgiving. the first 90 minutes can decide what kind of World Cup everyone gets to live through.

USMNT World Cup 2026 Paraguay Mauricio Pochettino Christian Pulisic Matt Freese Tim Ream Miles Robinson Sergino Dest Antonee Robinson Tyler Adams Weston McKennie Malik Tillman Folarin Balogun Chris Richards SoFi Stadium