Show Caption
LOS ANGELES — U.S. men's national team coach Mauricio Pochettino seemingly gave us a preview of his World Cup opening match starting lineup a week ago.Pochettino named a team against Germany that looked suspiciously like his first-choice lineup — with the major exception of Chris Richards continuing to sit with his ankle injury. But Richards has declared himself fit for Friday night's opener against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, a game the USMNT will desperately want to win to start the tournament off on the right foot.Here is how we see the USMNT lining up against Paraguay in its opening match of the 2026 World Cup.Watch every USMNT World Cup game with Fubo!USMNT lineup vs Paraguay: Predicted starting XIGoalkeeper: Matt Freese. This position is still up in the air, but we are betting Pochettino sticks with Freese when push comes to shove. There's a reason the coach started Freese in 12 straight games last year, and Matt Turner hasn't quite done enough to wrest the position away.Defenders: Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, Alex Freeman. Even though Richards has declared himself fit, we are betting Pochettino will exercise caution with a player who hasn't seen the field in a month. Ream is a lock and Robinson slots in just ahead of Mark McKenzie.Wingbacks: Sergino Dest, Antonee Robinson. One of the true strengths of the team comes out wide, where Dest and Robinson provide plenty of attacking thrust. Dest will often be positioned more like a winger than a defender.Midfielders: Tyler Adams, Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman. Adams provides the cover as the No. 6, allowing McKennie to get further forward. Keep an eye on Tillman's positioning — against Germany, he was often deployed deep despite being known more as a No. 10.Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Christian Pulisic. Balogun plays as the No. 9, looking to make runs in off Paraguayan defenders' back shoulders. With Paraguay likely to set up deeper, though, his hold-up play will be key. Pulisic will have the freedom to float and look for the half-spaces where he is so dangerous.USMNT XI to face Paraguay - our projectionFreese; Dest, Ream, M. Robinson, Freeman, A. Robinson; McKennie, Adams, Tillman; Pulisic, BalogunWhere are USA vs. Paraguay playing?SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.What time is USA vs. Paraguay game today?The match starts at 9 p.m. ET.2026 World Cup groups: Predictions and previewsGroup A (Mexico) | Group B | Group C | Group D (USMNT) | Group E | Group F | Group G | Group H | Group I | Group J | Group K | Group L
