Mauricio Pochettino’s squad faces a high-pressure Los Angeles debut, demanding unwavering support and patience to overcome Paraguay’s gritty defense as the home World Cup campaign finally kicks off.
United States players have called on fans to back the USMNT as Mauricio Pochettino’s side prepare to begin their home World Cup campaign against Paraguay in Los Angeles.
United States players have urged supporters to believe in the USMNT as the co-hosts prepare to open their 2026 World Cup campaign against Paraguay.
The USA begin their Group D schedule in Los Angeles against Paraguay, with Mauricio Pochettino’s side also due to face Australia and Turkey as they attempt to make home advantage count at the biggest World Cup in history.
A home opener brings opportunity, but it also brings pressure. The United States are playing in front of an American audience at a tournament designed to push soccer further into the national conversation, and the first performance will shape the mood around Pochettino’s team.
Speaking ahead of the Paraguay game, Matt Freese delivered a direct message to supporters.
“I would say that the message from me is, believe,” he said. “We’re believing and when you have a group of guys that fights for each other and dies for each other on the field, anything can happen. So, believe in us, bring the energy, and we hear each and every one of you.”
The opening game is unlikely to be straightforward. Paraguay arrive from a South American qualifying environment built on physical duels, defensive discipline and long spells without the ball. They are unlikely to give the United States the rhythm, space or early control a home crowd will expect.
If Paraguay can slow the tempo, break up attacks and keep the game level, pressure will move quickly onto the USMNT.
Freese’s message was not just a call for noise. It was also a call for patience. The United States will need backing if the game becomes scrappy, but they will also need enough composure on the pitch to stop emotion turning into frustration.
Captain Tim Ream also spoke about the importance of the environment around the squad, with the players given a base designed to remove distractions before the tournament begins.
“You want to feel like you have a good home base,” he said. “You have a place that you can not have to worry about all the little details off the field. Everything’s been taken care of for us. We’re very, very much spoiled in that way as players.”
Folarin Balogun also admitted the reality of a first World Cup appearance was still settling in.
“This is the first opportunity for me to play in a World Cup, so I don’t really have any expectations,” he said. “I’m just trying to stay present, stay in the moment, soak everything in, and I’m enjoying the experience so far. I hope it can be a really memorable one.”
Those comments reflect the balance facing the USMNT before the Paraguay opener. Pochettino’s players have to embrace the scale of a home World Cup without letting the occasion overwhelm their performance.
The message from inside the squad is clear enough. The United States want the country behind them, but the first answer still has to come on the field. Paraguay will test their rhythm, discipline and patience before Australia and Turkey come into view.
