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After what feels like an eternity of waiting, the U.S. men's national team launches its 2026 World Cup journey on Friday evening.
Paraguay stands in the way of Mauricio Pochettino's co-hosts, who will be eager to hit the ground running as they look to win Group D and secure a spot in the newly-formatted last 32. With tricky fixtures against Australia and Türkiye on the horizon, the USMNT must set the right tone from the very start.
Pochettino faces some selection dilemmas, though he has a wealth of attacking talent at his disposal. Christian Pulisic will serve as the focal point, while Malik Tillman, Folarin Balogun and Weston McKennie add considerable quality to the mix.
SI answers is our AI answer engine trained on human-created content.
With plenty of options available, here's how Pochettino might line up against Paraguay.
USMNT Predicted XI vs. Paraguay
Pick your USMNT XI!
GK: Matt Freese—The New York City FC shot-stopper has cemented his place as Pochettino's number one and got a solid workout in a challenging match against Germany in the team's most recent outing.
CB: Alex Freeman—With the USMNT expected to deploy a 3-5-2 shape, adaptable Villarreal right back Freeman could be shifted into a central defensive role. The 21-year-old is the youngest player in Pochettino's squad.
CB: Mark McKenzie—Chris Richards's recent return to full training is a significant positive, but the Crystal Palace defender is unlikely to be rushed straight back into the starting lineup against Paraguay. McKenzie looks set to get the nod.
CB: Tim Ream—The USMNT skipper brings a wealth of experience, having accumulated 82 caps since making his international debut back in November 2010. The 38-year-old appeared in both pre-tournament warm-up matches, delivering inconsistent displays.
RWB: Sergiño Dest—With transfer speculation linking him to Bayern Munich, Dest will be keen to make a statement this summer. The PSV Eindhoven full back will need to put in a tireless shift on the flank come Friday.
CM: Weston McKennie—McKennie's outstanding form earned him a new deal at Juventus back in March, with the dynamic midfielder playing a pivotal role in the middle of the park as he covers every blade of grass.
CM: Tyler Adams—Having thrived under the guidance of new Liverpool boss Andoni Iraola in recent campaigns, Adams has become an increasingly vital figure on the international scene. A tenacious display will be needed against Paraguay's dangerous attacking midfielders.
CM: Malik Tillman—Tillman should be afforded the license to make forward runs from midfield, leveraging his technical ability and attacking instincts to create headaches for the opposition.
LWB: Antonee Robinson—A breathtaking goal against Germany will have given Robinson a real confidence boost heading into the tournament. Premier League fans will need no reminding of the Fulham star's considerable abilities.
ST: Folarin Balogun—An outstanding campaign at Monaco saw Balogun net 19 goals, and he should edge out Ricardo Pepi and Haji Wright to lead the attack in the opening fixture.
ST: Christian Pulisic—Pochettino's primary attacking threat has endured a difficult 2026, only ending a six-month scoring drought for club and country during the friendly victory over Senegal in late May. The AC Milan forward must quickly rediscover his best form.