Despite conceding an early goal on Friday, Paraguay allowed the United States significant opportunities to exploit the channels. As Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie engaged in midfield, the disoriented Paraguayan defense struggled to position itself effectively. The US’s off-the-ball movement only exacerbated their difficulties, leaving Paraguay’s defense dizzy before it could establish proper alignment.
“I just tried to run in behind,” McKennie remarked following the US’s 4-1 triumph. “I think I realized early on that they were struggling to follow my deep runs. If it’s not broken, don’t fix it. I keep trying to do it until they figure something out. I was able to find more space than usual, and it was fun. I really enjoyed to get on the ball as much as I did.”
During a standout first half, the US dominated midfield control, with Tyler Adams and the more advanced McKennie and Tillman maintaining fluid spacing. Paraguay found it challenging to position themselves in the passing lanes, leading to frequent US recirculation whenever the opportunity arose, showcasing the on-ball skills of the defensive trio.
Throughout the 2022 World Cup, the US occasionally mirrored a club team due to the effective collaboration of their midfield trio. Adams and McKennie, supported by Yunus Musah, formed an “Honestly, I wasn’t second guessing myself. That was the main thing. Playing with pain’s OK as long as I’m not second-guessing myself.” engine room that kept the ball moving and adjusted dynamically for defense. Although Musah’s career has stalled, the rise of players like Tillman, Johnny Cardoso, Sebastian Berhalter, Tanner Tessmann, and Aidan Morris has alleviated concerns for coach Mauricio Pochettino.
While player dynamics have shifted, the dimensions of the field remain unchanged. The spaces McKennie exploited on Friday were not a product of Paraguay’s tactics but rather a reflection of Pochettino’s evolving strategy, built upon the growth of the US’s top talents since the World Cup in Qatar.
Midfield Evolution and Defensive Improvements
By the time the Copa América arrives in 2024, the midfield appears to be the only consistently effective aspect of Gregg Berhalter’s USMNT. Opponents often adopted a low-to-mid defensive block, allowing the US to press forward into the attacking zone, where they frequently struggled for ideas. It became evident that the system was heavily reliant on funneling attacks through Christian Pulisic, which opponents countered accordingly.
A significant positive from the Copa grouping was the affirmation of Chris Richards’s capabilities. By that point, he had two years of experience with Crystal Palace but only solidified his starting role after Oliver Glasner’s arrival in February 2024. His partnership with Tim Ream was crucial in keeping the US competitive, though it ultimately didn’t yield positive results against Panama and Uruguay.
Richards has since further developed his game. He became even more integral to Palace following Marc Guéhi’s exit, logging the highest minutes of any player in the club’s victorious 2024-25 FA Cup run. He also played a key role as the club secured the UEFA Conference League title this past season.
Richards’s confidence has surged, bolstered by his success with Palace and a recovery from an ankle injury sustained late in the season. His performance against Paraguay was impeccable, achieving a World Cup record with a 100% pass completion rate (83 passes). He collaborated with Adams to analyze Paraguay’s structure before distributing the ball to Ream or Alex Freeman to initiate the next offensive move.
“It felt good,” Richards shared in the mixed zone. “Honestly, I wasn’t second guessing myself. That was the main thing. Playing with pain’s OK as long as I’m not second-guessing myself.”
At the forefront of the US’s World Cup cycle is Folarin Balogun, whose decision to represent the US, despite eligibility for England and Nigeria, has been a tremendous asset for a program that lacked a reliable striker from 2016 to 2023. Renowned for his finesse, Balogun also possesses the physicality to outmuscle defenders, creating opportunities for his teammates.
Having grown up in Arsenal’s academy, Balogun boasts exceptional movement and a keen understanding of the game. As McKennie and Tillman maneuvered through the channels, Balogun adeptly positioned himself to receive service, putting Paraguay goalkeeper Orlando Gill under pressure to retrieve the ball from his net repeatedly.
Without the challenge of Concacaf qualifying and considering the team’s inconsistency during Pochettino’s tenure, there were valid concerns about the squad’s readiness for the World Cup. However, after weeks of refining their movements, the US exhibited confidence in their ability to control the game, prompting polite applause from fans at the Los Angeles Stadium for their effective ball circulation.
Challenges Ahead for the US
Transitioning to prestigious clubs hasn’t always been beneficial for this generation of US players. Musah’s transfer to Milan ultimately hindered his development as he struggled to find stability amid frequent coaching changes following his arrival in 2023. Gio Reyna’s challenges also cost him valuable growth opportunities with Dortmund and Mönchengladbach.
Currently, however, the US boasts the kind of players they have often lacked in the past. They have Richards as a defensive stalwart, instrumental in securing FA Cup and Conference League titles for his club, and Balogun, a striker who, despite occasional dry spells, ranked fourth in Ligue 1’s scoring charts.
Opponents must contend with Balogun while also addressing the threat posed by Pulisic, who led Milan in scoring just a year ago and has returned to exceptional form since the friendly against Senegal at the end of May. Reyna has also provided a timely reminder of his potential, despite limited opportunities at the club level. Meanwhile, McKennie (Juventus) and Adams (Bournemouth) have established themselves as crucial midfielders for Europa League qualifiers.
Nonetheless, numerous other nations possess talent that can match the US. Their Group D rivals, Turkey, will likely be the first formidable opponent they encounter. The Turks feature impressive attackers from Real Madrid and Juventus, with the brilliant Hakan Çalhanoğlu orchestrating play and the reliable Merih Demiral solidifying their defense. By the time the round of 16 arrives, the US may find themselves reverting to underdog status, with potential matchups against Belgium, France, or Spain, should they finish atop their group.
Yet, the US has time to build momentum as they prepare for these challenges. Fans should be grateful for birthright citizenship, as it enabled the US to secure Balogun, a striker capable of stretching defenses and easing the burden on his teammates.
