USA and Paraguay are slated to kick off at 9 p.m. ET. Team USA enters as slight favorites at +107, even after a 2-1 friendly loss to Germany last week at Chicago's Soldier Field. Paraguay comes in off a 4-0 win over Nicaragua in its final tune-up before the tournament.
The USMNT took a two-leg bus trip to reach the stadium, traveling from its training facility at Great Park Sports Complex in Irvine, California into Los Angeles to the hotel the squad will use after the match, then back on the road to Los Angeles Stadium, known outside the World Cup as SoFi Stadium. The team also posted a pregame video online as supporters continued arriving throughout the afternoon.
Head coach Mauricio Pochettino and the squad received well wishes before kickoff. New York Rangers and U.S. Men's Hockey Team head coach Mike Sullivan sent support ahead of the match, the USWNT offered its best before the opener, and President Donald Trump wished the team well. Preview coverage also framed Team USA's chances as the Americans opened their World Cup quest on home turf.
