The United States conclude their 2025 plans this month with friendly matches against Paraguay and Uruguay.
First up is a clash with Gustavo Alfaro's side in Pennsylvania on Saturday, which marks the first meeting between the USMNT and La Albirroja since a pre-tournament friendly ahead of the 2018 World Cup.
USA had a productive double-header in October, drawing with Ecuador — who finished second in South America's qualifying section for the 2026 World Cup — before defeating Australia 2-1. Pochettino will hope to build on those performances as he begins fine-tuning preparations for next year's tournament on home soil.
He will have to make do this month without the likes of captain Christian Pulisic, forward Tim Weah, key midfielders Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie, plus Premier League defenders Chris Richards and Antonee Robinson, so a number of players may hope to stake a claim for selection for the finals next summer.
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USA lineup vs. Paraguay: Projected starting XI, team news
Pochettino's roster for this month is somewhat experimental. The four-man goalkeeper group, which includes Jonathan Klinsmann, the son of former USA coach Jurgen Klinsmann, has only 14 senior caps between them.
Given the set-up in recent friendlies, it seems likely Pochettino will persist with a back-three formation, which will likely mean the returning Sergino Dest is deployed at right wing-back. Columbus Crew's Max Arfsten should get another chance to stake a claim for the left flank in the absence of Antonee Robinson.
Tanner Tessman and Timmy Tillman will hope for an opportunity after Tyler Adams withdrew from the roster due to injury. Further forward, both Gio Reyna and Diego Luna should get game time while Christian Pulisic sits out this month's games, although perhaps not in the same XI.
Strikers Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright should all get a chance to impress this month. Balogun feels like the more likely starter this weekend, with Pepi having had limited first-team football at PSV over recent weeks.
USA projected starting XI (3-4-3, right to left): Freese (GK) — Trusty, McKenzie, Ream — Dest, Tessman, Roldan, Arfsten — Aaronson, Balogun, Reyna
Full USA roster
Goalkeepers: Roman Celentano, Matt Freese, Jonathan Klinsmann, Patrick Schulte
Defenders: Max Arfsten, Sergino Dest, Alex Freeman, Mark McKenzie, Tim Ream, Miles Robinson, Joe Scally, John Tolkin, Auston Trusty
Midfielders: Sebastian Berhalter, Aidan Morris, Gio Reyna, Cristian Roldan, Tanner Tessman, Timmy Tillman, Brenden Aaronson, Diego Luna
Forwards: Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, Haji Wright
MORE: Projecting USA roster for the 2026 World Cup finals
USA vs. Paraguay match details
- Date: Saturday, November 15, 2025
- Kickoff Time: 7 p.m. ET / 4 p.m. PT
- Location: Subaru Park (Chester, PA, USA)
- Last meeting: USA 1-0 Paraguay (March 28, 2018 | International Friendly)