The USMNT play Paraguay this Saturday at Subaru Park carrying the responsibility of showing real progress ahead of a 2026 that will demand much more than good intentions. It’s their last match of the year, the final chance to try ideas and understand how the team is really shaping up before moving into a season that will be heavy and closely watched. The recent unbeaten run brings confidence, but the pressure is still there, because there’s no comfort when a home World Cup is coming.
The United States arrive strong but still searching for answers
The USMNT are unbeaten in three straight games against teams already qualified for the World Cup. They beat Japan 2–0, drew with Ecuador and came from behind to defeat Australia. This stretch brings a moderate sense of optimism and shows a group that has learned how to react when the game gets tight. Under Mauricio Pochettino, the team turned around two friendlies in a row and scored in nine of their last ten official matches.
In this context, three forwards show up in excellent form. Folarin Balogun scored for Monaco in the Champions League, Ricardo Pepi earned a late draw for PSV and Haji Wright is enjoying a strong run with Coventry City.
Subaru Park adds an emotional layer to the match. The stadium helped shape part of the new American generation. Brenden Aaronson, Mark McKenzie, Matt Freese and Auston Trusty all came through there. It highlights how much the country’s development system has changed and how that has influenced the national team.
Paraguay return to the World Cup and aim to consolidate progress
Paraguay come in with confidence after qualifying for their first World Cup in 14 years. The team secured South America’s last direct spot, finishing level on points with Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay, which already says plenty about their competitiveness. Their recent form has been less stable, with only one win in their last five matches, but Gustavo Alfaro keeps the team hard to break. They don’t score as often as they want, yet they rarely fall apart, and when they score first they almost always win.
The Paraguayan squad features several players connected to MLS. Miguel Almirón of Atlanta United is the most experienced name and an important figure in the group. Andrés Cubas of the Vancouver Whitecaps and Braian Ojeda of Real Salt Lake were also called up. Other MLS-linked players appear as well, like Diego Gómez, formerly of Inter Miami and now at Brighton, and Kaku, who once played for the New York Red Bulls. There is a clear connection to North American soccer, which adds familiarity to the matchup.
Recent history against the USMNT does not favor Paraguay. The Americans won the last two meetings, both by 1–0. That does not reduce the weight of this match. Paraguay are chasing their first win on U.S. soil since August 2022 and see this game as an important step in preparing for next summer’s tournament.