After years of anticipation, the USA kicks off the World Cup on home soil against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles. The United States are favorites against Paraguay in the latest World Cup odds.
Heavy Sports will have the starting XI once each team releases the official lineup closer to the start of the match. The game starts at 9 p.m. Eastern on Fox.
The USMNT is a slight favorite to defeat Paraguay at +105, per FanDuel. Paraguay is an underdog sitting at +290 in the soccer odds to pull off the upset. The odds for a draw are +210.
DraftKings set the over-under for goals at 2.5 with the over getting some juice at +150. Read on to check out our free pick for the USA-Paraguay game.
Here’s what you need to know about the USA-Paraguay match.
USA’s Projected Starting Lineup for USMNT vs. Paraguay
United States manager Mauricio Pochettino is expected to set a similar starting XI as the USA boss did against Germany in the USMNT’s final friendly. The main question is whether star defender Chris Richards will start.
Richards has been sidelined with an ankle injury but emphasized his desire to play against Paraguay. Smart money is on Richards starting over Miles Robinson, but the starting XI will likely look similar to the lineup below that the United States utilized against Germany.
Pochettino attempted to play coy on whether Richards will be in the lineup or subbed off the bench.
“I think we celebrate that we are ready to start the competition with 26 player available to be selected,” Pochettino explained, per ESPN. “Chris is available to be selected and then we will decide if you start from the beginning of the game or on the bench, but I think we celebrate the show that our medical staff and performance [staff] worked really hard to recover.”
Paraguay’s Projected Starting Lineup vs. United States
Paraguay was dealt unfortunate news as forward Julio Enciso sustained a brutal injury in the team’s final friendly. Enisco is not expected to play against the United States.
Here’s a look at Paraguay’s starting XI the team used in its final friendly. We will update this story with the official lineup against the USMNT once it is unveiled.
Fans may recognize Atlanta United forward Miguel Almiron, who also spent seven years in the Premier League with Newcastle. Almiron is one of Paraguay’s top players.
USA vs. Paraguay Prediction: The USMNT Start Off With a Victory
There has been plenty of skepticism about the United States in the months leading up to the World Cup, but the team played much better in the squad’s final two friendlies. None of these Group Stage matches will be easy, but the United States could be favorites in all three games.
It is not a must-win game, but a victory would send the USMNT to Seattle with plenty of momentum to take on Australia in the second match. Christian Pulisic put the scoring drought behind him with a goal against Senegal and looks to be in top form.
Smart money is on Pulisic getting another goal in the opener. Paraguay was dealt an unfortunate blow with Enciso’s injury and could struggle to slow down the United States’ attack in the final third.
Expect Richards to provide the United States’ shaky defense with a boost. The United States start off the World Cup with three points against Paaguay.
World Cup Pick: United States 2 Paraguay 1
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