\ud83c\uddfa\ud83c\uddf2 No. 17 USMNT<\/h2>\n\n\ud83e\udd14 Lessons from last week:<\/strong> This USMNT squad didn\u2019t have to go through qualifying (hosts receive an automatic berth), leaving questions about their identity and competitiveness. Perhaps to counter that narrative, U.S. Soccer made a bold move in scheduling two tune-up matches against objectively better<\/a> teams, with lessons learned in both.<\/p>\n\n- The best possible thing happened in their late May 3\u20132 win over then\u2013No. 14 Senegal: Christian Pulisic scored<\/a>, ending a goal drought dating back to 2025. Phew.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- The Yanks\u2019 2\u20131 Saturday loss to No. 10 Germany showed that this team has a backbone\u2026in more ways than one<\/a>. Most importantly, they didn\u2019t collapse after allowing an early goal and responded with a jaw-dropping equalizer<\/a> from defender Antonee Robinson.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udc40 Players to watch<\/strong><\/p>\n\ud83d\udd34 Christian Pulisic | Forward: <\/strong>The aforementioned face of the USMNT, Pulisic is the most experienced player on the team (86 caps) and leads in scoring over the past 10 years (33 goals). His smart passing and off-ball movement make him the catalyst for the U.S. attack, while his willingness to get back on defense sets the tone for selfless play.<\/p>\n\u26aa Tyler Adams | Midfielder:<\/strong> Then just 23 years old, Adams was the youngest captain at the 2022 WC and he showed why he deserved that honor, both on and off the field<\/a>. He played every minute of every game and was integral to a defense that allowed just one goal throughout the group stage.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udd35 Chris Richards | Center back: <\/strong>Reigning U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year Richards missed the lead-up games as he recovered from two torn ligaments in his ankle, but was thankfully cleared to practice<\/a> earlier this week. His physicality and leadership anchor the backline and the 6-foot-2 defender from Birmingham, Alabama, is a lethal target during set pieces<\/a>.<\/p>\n\ud83d\udd11 Keys to success:<\/strong> The USMNT has a definite Achilles heel: the start and end of each half. Senegal\u2019s 44th-minute goal marked the third time in four matches they allowed a goal in the last five minutes of a half. Against Germany, they did the reverse, falling into a 1\u20130 deficit in the first five minutes of the game. Not great.<\/p>\n\n- You can\u2019t lose focus in international soccer. Good teams don\u2019t ease into the game, they are always looking for a defensive lapse or miscommunication to exploit.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\n- And advancing at the WC isn\u2019t about scoring beautiful goals, it\u2019s about capitalizing on good opportunities from counterattacks and set pieces. The U.S. style of play doesn\u2019t need to be magisterial<\/em><\/a>, it needs to be sound. TL;DR? Play ugly, boys.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n
\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddfe Getting to know La Albirroja<\/h2>\n![\"What](\"https:\/\/cdn.sanity.io\/images\/rdxk7lfa\/production\/274255211ad6a1e8eee76c47f9ae5394f8ecf0f5-4473x2982.jpg?w=600&h=400&q=75&fit=max&auto=format\")
<\/p>\nSource: DANIEL DUARTE\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
\n\ud83e\udd14 Lessons from their send-off game:<\/strong> Paraguay beat No. 131 Nicaragua 4\u20130 in their final game before the WC and was sent off with a fireworks display so spectacular<\/a>, you\u2019ll wish there were more<\/em> cell phone videos of it.<\/p>\n\n- On paper, it was a great result, but star attacking midfielder Julio Enciso went down in the 25th minute and had to be stretchered off. His MRI revealed it wasn\u2019t a tear, just a thigh contusion, although Enciso will likely sit out this game.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
\ud83d\udc40 Players to watch<\/strong><\/p>\n\ud83d\udd34 Miguel Almir\u00f3n | Forward: <\/strong>A mainstay for MLS\u2019 Atlanta United, Almir\u00f3n is a serious threat up front with enough speed to make defenses wary. He scored an absolute stunner<\/a> against Nicaragua and can expect to see more opportunities if Enciso is out.<\/p>\n\u26aa Gustavo G\u00f3mez & Omar Alderete | Defense: <\/strong>There\u2019s no point separating this duo because they\u2019re the heart of La Albirroja\u2019s defense and anchor a disciplined backline capable of limiting U.S. chances in the box. Locking it down<\/p>\n\ud83d\udcdd How the USMNT matches up: <\/strong>Paraguay won\u2019t enter this game trying to dominate possession. They know they\u2019re the underdog and will keep a keen eye out for the opportunity to spoil the party for the home team, most likely off a counterattack.<\/p>\n\n- The USMNT can expect a physical game and will need to keep their heads \u2014 no silly fouls, no sloppy yellow cards, and no reds (!!!).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\ud83e\udd14 Lessons from last week:<\/strong> This USMNT squad didn\u2019t have to go through qualifying (hosts receive an automatic berth), leaving questions about their identity and competitiveness. Perhaps to counter that narrative, U.S. Soccer made a bold move in scheduling two tune-up matches against objectively better<\/a> teams, with lessons learned in both.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 Players to watch<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 Christian Pulisic | Forward: <\/strong>The aforementioned face of the USMNT, Pulisic is the most experienced player on the team (86 caps) and leads in scoring over the past 10 years (33 goals). His smart passing and off-ball movement make him the catalyst for the U.S. attack, while his willingness to get back on defense sets the tone for selfless play.<\/p>\n \u26aa Tyler Adams | Midfielder:<\/strong> Then just 23 years old, Adams was the youngest captain at the 2022 WC and he showed why he deserved that honor, both on and off the field<\/a>. He played every minute of every game and was integral to a defense that allowed just one goal throughout the group stage.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd35 Chris Richards | Center back: <\/strong>Reigning U.S. Soccer Male Player of the Year Richards missed the lead-up games as he recovered from two torn ligaments in his ankle, but was thankfully cleared to practice<\/a> earlier this week. His physicality and leadership anchor the backline and the 6-foot-2 defender from Birmingham, Alabama, is a lethal target during set pieces<\/a>.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udd11 Keys to success:<\/strong> The USMNT has a definite Achilles heel: the start and end of each half. Senegal\u2019s 44th-minute goal marked the third time in four matches they allowed a goal in the last five minutes of a half. Against Germany, they did the reverse, falling into a 1\u20130 deficit in the first five minutes of the game. Not great.<\/p>\n Source: DANIEL DUARTE\/AFP via Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n \ud83e\udd14 Lessons from their send-off game:<\/strong> Paraguay beat No. 131 Nicaragua 4\u20130 in their final game before the WC and was sent off with a fireworks display so spectacular<\/a>, you\u2019ll wish there were more<\/em> cell phone videos of it.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udc40 Players to watch<\/strong><\/p>\n \ud83d\udd34 Miguel Almir\u00f3n | Forward: <\/strong>A mainstay for MLS\u2019 Atlanta United, Almir\u00f3n is a serious threat up front with enough speed to make defenses wary. He scored an absolute stunner<\/a> against Nicaragua and can expect to see more opportunities if Enciso is out.<\/p>\n \u26aa Gustavo G\u00f3mez & Omar Alderete | Defense: <\/strong>There\u2019s no point separating this duo because they\u2019re the heart of La Albirroja\u2019s defense and anchor a disciplined backline capable of limiting U.S. chances in the box. Locking it down<\/p>\n \ud83d\udcdd How the USMNT matches up: <\/strong>Paraguay won\u2019t enter this game trying to dominate possession. They know they\u2019re the underdog and will keep a keen eye out for the opportunity to spoil the party for the home team, most likely off a counterattack.<\/p>\n\n
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\ud83c\uddf5\ud83c\uddfe Getting to know La Albirroja<\/h2>\n
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