US aims for historic breakthrough as it hosts expanded World Cup
The United States looks to turn home advantage into long awaited success amid growing expectations.
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Better than 2022?
The United States is hoping to achieve a historic result, as it has never gone beyond the quarterfinals in the modern era, reaching that stage in 2002 when it was eliminated by Germany. Its most recent achievement was reaching the round of 16 in Qatar in 2022.
As the top seeded team due to being one of the host nations, the United States has been drawn into Group D alongside Australia, Turkey, and Paraguay, its first opponent, whom it defeated 2–1 in a friendly match last November.
US midfielder Cristian Roldan warned on Tuesday that the United States may be “too honest” in matches and needs to improve its ability to use the “tricks” of the game.
Speaking to AFP, he said, “I think that is definitely an area where we can improve. I think being a bit more cunning and understanding that excessive honesty can sometimes be a big weakness for us.”
He added, “We need to be more clever in managing games, in how we commit fouls, and in staying on the ground a bit longer.”
On Friday, Pochettino will face a fellow Argentine on the bench of La Albirroja, Gustavo Alfaro, who has built a solid defensive team supported by some creative players such as French Strasbourg midfielder Julio Enciso, who has recently been injured.
Former goalkeeper José Luis Chilavert, one of Paraguay’s most iconic figures, told AFP, “We have regained our identity, calm, defensive solidity, midfield toughness, and attacking efficiency,” noting that his national team has not played in a World Cup since 2010.