Almost a century later and after more than 20 World Cups, the United States and Paraguay will meet again at the World Cup.
In 1930 in Montevideo, at the first world championship in history, the Americans won 3-0 and then reached the semifinals and third place, and now these two teams will open Group D.
A match between USA and Paraguay The game is tonight at three o'clock after midnight our time at the “SoFi” space stadium in Los Angeles.
POKETINA WORKS TEST AGAINST GERMANY
The clash in Inglewood, a suburb of the "City of Angels", will also be a clash of Argentine experts - on one side Mauricio Poketino, on the other Gustavo Alfaro.
For Pochettino, this year and the lead-up to the World Cup were not exactly ideal, as the Americans only won one of four strong tests - against Senegal. Still, even one defeat was a good sign for the USA coach.
- Overall, I think we played a good game against Germany (2:1). I'm happy with the attitude of all the players. We played against one of the greats and we have to be happy. We were equal opponents, and we were a bit unlucky. It was a close game, even the statistics were similar - Pochettino pointed out.
The semi-final in Uruguay 96 years ago still remains the USA's greatest success - how much can the host do now?
- In football, anything is possible, we don't promise anything, but this could be a championship with a result that we will remember - added the former Tottenham and Chelsea coach.
PARAGUAY DOES NOT BACK DOWN TO ANYONE
Pochettino has many good footballers - like Kristijan Pulisic, Weston McKenzie, Folarina Baloguna, Richard Pepy, Tajlera Adamsa, Anthony Robinson.
On the other hand, Paraguay believes in togetherness and team strength.
- I won't ask Paraguayans to be rational. Quite the opposite. We are ready to fight and to leave our hearts behind - said coach Alfaro.
Paraguay was once considered the "Italy of South America" due to its toughness, and it is returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2010.
- I know what these people feel, as well as what 16 long years of waiting, frustration, broken hearts, missed opportunities and watching the World Cup on television look like - Alfaro is clear.
Question mark for Paraguay is Hulio Ensiso, Strasbourg forward, formerly a Brighton player. The trump cards of the “red and whites” will be the striker Antonio Sanabria (now Cremonese, formerly Turin, Betis), Diego Gomez (Brighton), Omar alderete (Sunderland) and until recently a favourite of Newcastle fans Miguel Almiron.
The second match in this group will be played between Turkey and Australia on Sunday at 6 am in Vancouver.
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The USA and Paraguay have played each other twice so far - one in 1930, the other (a friendly) in November 2025. Both were won by the Americans.
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