USMNT Game one: States United

🤔 Lessons from last week: This USMNT squad didn’t have to go through qualifying (hosts receive an automatic berth), leaving questions about their identity and competitiveness. Perhaps to counter that narrative, U.S. Soccer made a bold move in scheduling two tune-up matches against objectively better teams, with lessons learned in both.

• The best possible thing happened in their late May 3–2 win over then–No. 14 Senegal: Christian Pulisic scored, ending a goal drought dating back to 2025. Phew.

• The Yanks’ 2–1 Saturday loss to No. 10 Germany showed that this team has a backbone…in more ways than one. Most importantly, they didn’t collapse after allowing an early goal and responded with a jaw-dropping equalizer from defender Antonee Robinson.

👀 Players to watch

🔴 Christian Pulisic | Forward: The aforementioned face of the USMNT, Pulisic is the most experienced player on the team (86 caps) and leads in scoring over the past 10 years (33 goals). His smart passing and off-ball movement make him the catalyst for the U.S. attack, while his willingness to get back on defense sets the tone for selfless play.

⚪ Tyler Adams | Midfielder: Then just 23 years old, Adams was the youngest captain at the 2022 WC and he showed why he deserved that honor, both on and off the field. He played every minute of every game and was integral to a defense that allowed just one goal throughout the group stage.

🔵 Chris Richards | Center back: Reigning U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year Richards missed the lead-up games as he recovered from two torn ligaments in his ankle, but was thankfully cleared to practice earlier this week. His physicality and leadership anchor the backline and the 6-foot-2 defender from Birmingham, Alabama, is a lethal target during set pieces.

🔑 Keys to success: The USMNT has a definite Achilles heel: the start and end of each half. Senegal’s 44th-minute goal marked the third time in four matches they allowed a goal in the last five minutes of a half. Against Germany, they did the reverse, falling into a 1–0 deficit in the first five minutes of the game. Not great.

• You can’t lose focus in international soccer. Good teams don’t ease into the game, they are always looking for a defensive lapse or miscommunication to exploit.

• And advancing at the WC isn’t about scoring beautiful goals, it’s about capitalizing on good opportunities from counterattacks and set pieces. The U.S. style of play doesn’t need to be magisterial, it needs to be sound. TL;DR? Play ugly, boys.

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🤔 Lessons from their send-off game: Paraguay beat No. 131 Nicaragua 4–0 in their final game before the WC and was sent off with a fireworks display so spectacular, you’ll wish there were more cell phone videos of it.

• On paper, it was a great result, but star attacking midfielder Julio Enciso went down in the 25th minute and had to be stretchered off. His MRI revealed it wasn’t a tear, just a thigh contusion, although Enciso will likely sit out this game.

👀 Players to watch

🔴 Miguel Almirón | Forward: A mainstay for MLS’ Atlanta United, Almirón is a serious threat up front with enough speed to make defenses wary. He scored an absolute stunner against Nicaragua and can expect to see more opportunities if Enciso is out.

⚪ Gustavo Gómez & Omar Alderete | Defense: There’s no point separating this duo because they’re the heart of La Albirroja’s defense and anchor a disciplined backline capable of limiting U.S. chances in the box. Locking it down

📝 How the USMNT matches up: Paraguay won’t enter this game trying to dominate possession. They know they’re the underdog and will keep a keen eye out for the opportunity to spoil the party for the home team, most likely off a counterattack.

• The USMNT can expect a physical game and will need to keep their heads — no silly fouls, no sloppy yellow cards, and no reds (!!!).