USA vs. Paraguay: Key Players, Projected Lineup, What To Know

A match eight years in the making — since the USA was awarded hosting rights for the 2026 World Cup alongside Canada and Mexico on the eve of the 2018 tournament — is finally here. 

The Americans begin Group D play on Friday against Paraguay in Los Angeles with an abundance of optimism. 

"Any World Cup game is a huge opportunity for us," Christian Pulisic, the Stars and Stripes’ headliner and top attacker, said before the squad’s final pre-Cup training session. "We have to have a good...