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The U.S. men's national team's path to victory in their World Cup opener may have become a little clearer on Friday evening, after Paraguay's standout forward Julio Enciso was forced off during a friendly against Nicaragua while visibly in significant pain.
Enciso, 22, was making his first appearance of the summer for his country after wrapping up the 2025–26 club season with a hat-trick in a 5–4 victory for Strasbourg over USMNT forward Folarin Balogun's Monaco in Ligue 1 back in May.
Starting on the left side in a lively, flare-lit atmosphere in Paraguay, he was substituted off in the 25th minute of what would become a 4–0 victory over the Concacaf underdogs, departing with his side already leading 1–0.
One of Paraguay's most important players, Enciso had to be carried off on a stretcher after pulling up awkwardly while receiving a pass. He attempted to play through it briefly before collapsing to the ground in clear distress.
Paraguay's best attacker, Julio Enciso, in tears after being carried off vs Nicaragua in their final tune up before the World Cup.
You hate to see that. pic.twitter.com/8kEGqq3m3x
Despite the worrying scenes, Paraguay head coach Gustavo Alfaro expressed cautious optimism that Enciso may have escaped serious damage — a significant relief given his importance to the team's ambitions heading into next Friday's World Cup group stage opener against the USMNT, as well as subsequent Group D clashes with Türkiye and Australia.
"Julio suffered two simultaneous injuries: a tight hamstring from impact and then on his waist, which affected his quadriceps area," Alfaro said after the game. "He got scared, and that's why he came off."
"When he took the first hit, he signaled to me, and I told him to come off. He replied that it was loosening up, but then he took another blow to the waist, and that's when he felt the injury."
Paraguay's Lack of Goals
Should Enciso miss the World Cup opener against the USMNT or be absent for further group stage fixtures, Paraguay could find it difficult to generate genuine attacking threat going forward.
The attacking midfielder has netted four goals across 31 international appearances, frequently against top South American opposition, and rediscovered his best form in France with 12 goals, following earlier stints in the English Premier League with Brighton & Hove Albion and Ipswich Town.
Last fall, Paraguay fell 2–1 in a friendly against the USMNT, with Enciso impressing in a wide duel along his flank against Max Arfsten. In the World Cup opener, that matchup would likely have pitted him against Fulham's Antonee Robinson.
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In his absence, La Albirroja would likely turn to the dynamic ability of Gustavo Caballero, whose pace has established him as a wildcard option for the national side. On loan at EFL Championship club Portsmouth in the second half of the season, the Santos forward managed one goal in 791 minutes of action, though he did not feature in Friday's friendly.
Beyond him, the experience of veteran Miguel Almirón could prove valuable, while accomplished defensive midfielder Andrés Cubas may be called upon to provide additional stability in the middle of the park.
Paraguay will now travel to the United States to finalize their preparations ahead of the June 12 World Cup opener against the hosts at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, before turning their attention to their second group match against Türkiye on June 19 at Levi's Stadium near San Francisco.