Pulisic Ready to Battle Against Paraguay at World Cup

United States soccer star Christian Pulisic has expressed that the co-hosts are “ready to battle” for a potentially tough opening match against Paraguay on Friday. The US team is preparing for their first World Cup since 1994, alongside Mexico and Canada, with Pulisic insisting they can compete with any team.

The opener, scheduled for 6:00pm local time in Los Angeles (1:00 AM GMT Saturday), will be preceded by a Hollywood-style opening ceremony. Paraguay, the lowest-ranked team in Group D, is expected to pose a significant challenge despite their lower ranking compared to Australia and Turkey.

Paraguay’s coach, Mauricio Pochettino, hails from neighboring Argentina and played alongside many Paraguayan teammates during his career at Newell’s Old Boys. He warned of Paraguay’s competitive nature and quality on the field.

Pulisic emphasized that the team must be ready not just to play beautiful football but also to battle effectively against their opponents. The US lineup is expected to feature Folarin Balogun between Pulisic and Sergino Dest, with a midfield trio consisting of Weston McKennie, Malik Tillman, and Tyler Adams.

Paraguay’s best players include former Newcastle United forward Miguel Almiron and young midfielder Julio Enciso, who joined Strasbourg from Brighton last summer. Experienced defenders Omar Alderete and Gustavo Gomez are expected to lead the squad under Argentine coach Gustavo Alfaro, who advocates for a direct style of play with plenty of aerial attacks.

Pulisic acknowledged that facing Paraguay is a “great team and really good test” for the US team, emphasizing their readiness to show what they can do on the field. Pochettino reiterated his focus on winning, stating that success lies in victory, not just reaching the final or even winning the World Cup.