USMNT vs. Paraguay in World Cup Prep Friendly

The United States men's national soccer team faces Paraguay in an international friendly on Saturday at Subaru Park in Chester, Pennsylvania, as both sides continue preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. The match kicks off at 5 p.m. ET, marking the first of two games for the U.S. in the November international window.

As co-hosts, the Americans have auto-qualified for the tournament and have focused on friendlies since a quarterfinal exit from the Concacaf Gold Cup in the summer. Under coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team enters on positive momentum, unbeaten in its last three outings: a 2-1 victory over Japan in September, a 1-1 draw with Ecuador and a 2-1 win against Australia in October. Haji Wright scored twice in the comeback against Australia, while the shift to a 3-4-3 formation has added defensive stability.

However, Pochettino must navigate significant absences due to injuries and club commitments, including Christian Pulisic, Tyler Adams, Tim Weah, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, Chris Richards and Sean Zawadzki. This creates opportunities for fringe players to stake claims for World Cup spots. Midfielder Gio Reyna, returning after a March absence and playing for...