News Focus
- The United States face Paraguay in their opening Group D fixture in Los Angeles
- Captain Christian Pulisic has scored in 26 international matches, with the US winning 21 of those
- The co-hosts defeated Paraguay 2-1 in a friendly match last November
- Manager Mauricio Pochettino targets three points to boost chances of topping the group
When Christian Pulisic scores for the United States, victory usually follows. The Stars and Stripes have won 21 of the 26 matches in which their captain has found the net, losing only twice and drawing the remaining four. This remarkable record highlights why the 27-year-old is crucial to American hopes as they begin their World Cup campaign against Paraguay on Friday night.
The winger has earned 84 caps for his country and boasts a superior goals-per-game ratio than legendary figures Clint Dempsey and Landon Donovan. However, he has netted just once for the national side since November 2024. Should he score against Paraguay, he would join Dempsey, Donovan and Brian McBride as the only American players to strike in multiple World Cup finals.
Media pundit Colin Cowherd emphasised Pulisic’s importance during a recent broadcast. He stated that setting the captain up for success allows the rest of the squad to perform, naming teammates like Weston McKennie, Sergiño Dest and Tyler Adams as strong supporting players. Cowherd noted that the side becomes “exceptional” when Pulisic scores or assists, but merely “slightly above average” without his direct contribution.
Former national team coach Bruce Arena echoed these sentiments. He insisted that securing three points against Paraguay is essential for topping Group D, which also contains Australia and Türkiye. Arena explained that winning the group could lead to a more favourable draw in the Round of 32, potentially clearing a path towards the latter stages of the tournament.
The United States hold a strong historical advantage over Paraguay, with five victories in nine meetings. Their most recent clash ended in a 2-1 American win last November. All eyes will be on head coach Mauricio Pochettino’s line-up as the co-hosts aim to convert their potential into a winning start at the tournament.