Pre-match: 6/12/26 9PM EST USA vs Paraguay: Game 1 of the big show

Hahahahahaha

 

Pochettino played things close to vest today at the pre-match press conference (source: Charles Boehm of MLS Soccer):

Mauricio Pochettino's matchday-1 press conference now underway. On question 1, Poch confirms that Chris Richards is available for selection tomorrow, but gives nothing away with regards to whether he will start or not

So far it sounds very much like Poch is in vault mode, giving away as little information of any kind as possible. Sidesteps a question about his own WC experiences as a player in 2002, says he's very happy with the team's preparations, offers very vague generalities about Pulisic's importance...

Poch: "We can say that we are in a very good condition, and so proud of the players... they are much better players, the mindset started to change, and I think will embrace the future of this country being the number one, and [more] competitive"

"I told [the players], don't expect an unbelievable speech Friday. I am the opposite. I think now is the moment that they need to know the way to prepare in an emotional and mental way... everyone knows how to be ready. I think now they don't need an external motivation or inspirational speech"

Poch, asked en Español if he has superstitions: "I’m not a superstitious person—I don’t really believe in that sort of thing—though I do always step onto the field with my right foot first, and I carry a bit of ruda macho [rue, the herb] in my right pocket" - then breaks into a grin; just joking!

Poch (en Esp): "You can always learn something from every player if you’re open to picking up what they can teach or convey to you. I really admire the players' mindset; I don't think they should be underestimated, because their emotional intelligence is very high—well above the global average"

 

For this alone I say sign him up for four more years.

 

It’s the same person: Murdoch.

Tell me you’ve never listened to an Australian call in show w/o telling me.

btw, I listen to a super conservative call-in show on CKOM out Saskatoon. They hate us too. Not as virulently as Australians, more in a matter of fact way.

listen to late night or overnights on abc, or the Evans guy, I forget his name, afternoons/evenings on ckom. Have you ever been to Aus?

 

I really liked him at the open practice. I’d re sign him almost regardless of the result. It’s a bit of a bummer that he couldn’t start as soon as he was signed.

 

They're giving us the Super Bowl treatment with the 3 hour pregame. Holy cow.

 

when its 3 hours of lalas, though, is that something you really want?

 

Lalas has bragged that he actively undermined our team in 98. He said if he wasn’t starting he wanted the team to fail. How he gets near a soccer field in the U.S. is beyond me.

 

Just hoping Zlatan takes his chance to tell him to STFU.

 

Oh man conservative Canadians from Saskatoon that’s hilarious. I think I want to listen to that and sip a Molson.

 

I know, I came here looking for info on Paraguay’s injuries…

Looks like Enciso is healed:

Julio Enciso está para arrancar de titular mañana ante EEUU

Orlando Gill
-
Juan Cáceres, Gustavo Gómez, Omar Alderete y Junior Alonso
-
Diego Gómez, Damián Bobadilla, Andrés Cubas y Miguel Almirón
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Julio Enciso y Tony Sanabria pic.twitter.com/ley17TsvYT

— Alvaro Aponte (@alvaroapontec) June 11, 2026

 

We are going to LA
To play Paragu-AY
Don't worry we will have the refer-AY
Who will give us a P-KAY
The fourth match Day
Will be in the stadium by the BAy
Good luck USA
That's all I gotta say

 

Experienced Dutch ref:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Danny_Makkelie

 

Badge FC just for fun:

San Lorenzo
Dinamo Moscow
Atletico Mineiro
Palmeiras
Sundereland
Brighton
São Paulo
Vancouver Whitecaps
Atlanta United
Strasbourg
Cremonese

 

Game day is upon us. 2-1 good guys in a pretty ugly game.

 

Is Lalas really that disliked?

 

One of my absolute favourite refs. He's top class and very rarely gets decisions wrong.

 

Not by me.

 

Trying to wrap my head around how a 2-1 match is going to be ugly. Any win is beautiful.

 

He is pretty important to their attack. It will be interesting to see whether Paraguay risks him so close to his injury. Some sources are saying he will be back by the Turkey game which makes a bit more sense. No excuses... the USMNT should beat Paraguay w/ or w/o Enciso. It's the WC on home soil.... get er done.

 

It’s GAMEDAY

 

In order of importance:
1. We win
2. No injuries
3. No red/yellow cards (for us)

 

More so than any other World Cup I could see anything happening in this opener. Hopefully it’s the good side of things. A win is a win and of course you can’t look past any of our group opponents. But man, how great would it be to see a convincing win on home soil?

 

One of my favorite moments from the HBO doc was after the gold cup final - the loss to Mexico - he talked about how our home matches are like being on the road playing in front of belligerent away team fans, and how that was a big learning experience for him, to see what our guys are up against. And then he ended his talk with, "yes, keep improving, but don't ever change."

And I was like, wow .. this guy gets it. I don't think we give him enough credit.

 

Watching ESPN FC just now and they were talking about what Poch had to say yesterday. And how the players seem to be mirroring him. Pretty low key. No rah rah. This is just another game. etc.

The pundits were commenting that they wish that Poch had been more rah rah and that the players should recognize that this is not just another game. Its the freaking WC on home soil. Frankly, I disagree with them. I think Poch and the players have it right. They KNOW what the stakes are. They aren't stupid. What is stupid is to get too caught up in the moment. At the end of the day they have been preparing for tonight for a long time. They showed us in the last two friendlies that they are ready and know their jobs. Now go out and execute.