Times of San Diego will offer match previews of U.S. and Mexico games during the World Cup, which begins Thursday. For more, see our 2026 World Cup Guide to local watch parties.
Match: USA vs Paraguay
When/where: 6 p.m., Friday in Los Angeles
How to watch: Fox5 San Diego, Telemundo and Peacock
U.S.
The squad is scuffling, having lost three of its last four matches, including a 2-1 loss to Germany on Saturday. The team, though, showed good form in the first half and got a goal-of-the-year candidate in the 37th minute courtesy of defender Antonee Robinson.
Despite the unnecessary distraction of U.S. Soccer Federation Sporting Director Matt Crocker resigning his post on April 14 to take an executive role with the Saudi Arabian Football Federation, the Stars and Stripes, unfazed, came out with a dramatic 3-2 win over Senegal in the following match.
Strengths: Forward Christian Pulisic, though he can’t seem to shake the constant comparisons to USMNT legend Landon Donovan. Pulisic has had a less-than-stellar 2026 season playing for AC Milan, but will have familiar faces backing him up in the World Cup, including team captain Tim Ream and midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.
Keep an eye on: Who will get majority of playing time during the group phase at goalkeeper. Both Matt Fresse and Matt Turner have been vying to be the go-to guy with Freese starting against Germany and Turner getting the call versus Senegal only to be subbed out in the second half for Chris Brady.
Paraguay
The national team has won three of its last four after losing to the U.S. 2-1 on Nov. 15. Paraguay finished sixth in the CONMEBOL standings, which secured the final automatic qualification spot for the World Cup, ending a 16-year absence from the tournament.
Strengths: La Albirroja is a very disciplined side, known for a rugged, defense-first identity. The team is currently ranked 41st according to FIFA.
Keep an eye on: One of the team’s best players is 22-year-old Julio Enciso, who is considered the future of Paraguayan football, but his status is uncertain after suffering a hamstring injury during a 4-0 win over Nicaragua on June 5. If he is unable to play, then La Albirroja will have to rely heavily on attacking midfielder Miguel Almirón and defender Gustavo Gómez, who bring much needed veteran experience to their respective positions.
