USA vs. Paraguay score: USMNT result, updates, stats as Gio Reyna shines in November international friendly

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In his first international appearance since March, with a 2026 World Cup spot on the line, Gio Reyna played hero for the United States as they struck down Paraguay by a 2-1 score in Pennsylvania on Saturday.

Reyna scored his side’s first goal and assisted the second as the 22-year-old looks to prove his worth to Mauricio Pochettino. It’s been a tough time for Reyna, as injuries and poor club form at both Borussia Dortmund and on loan at Borussia Monchengladbach have led to a long hiatus from USMNT duty, but a lack of fitness for Christian Pulisic and other U.S. Stars allowed him a way back into the side.

He and a number of other fringe players made the most of their chance to shine, with Sergino Dest also looking bright on his return to national team action and Cristian Roldan impressing in midfield.

MORE: See the 2026 USMNT schedule as the United States gear up to host the World Cup

The U.S. Dominated possession and, while they struggled to create chances through the middle third of the match, they were impressive in the first and final 20 minutes. A counter-attacking goal by Alex Arce shortly after Reyna’s early opener was the only blemish at the home of the Philadelphia Union.

Ricardo Pepi also made his return to international competition, coming off the bench for the final 15 minutes, and he could have put the game away but missed a glorious chance to snatch a third goal for the U.S. Minutes after coming on.

The match came to a thunderous end as both sides were involved in a benches-clearing fracas over a throw-in, which saw Paraguay bench player Omar Alderete sent to the showers.

AllSportsPeople followed the USA vs. Paraguay match live, providing score updates, commentary, and analysis.

USA vs. Paraguay final score

Location: Subaru Park (Chester, PA)
Referee: Christopher Corado (GUA)

Starting lineups:

USA (3-4-3, right to left): 1. Freese (GK) — 12. M. Robinson, 13. Ream, 5. Scally (Luna, 67') — 2. Dest (Freeman, 67'), 8. Tessman, 6. Roldan (Morris, 75'), 18. Arfsten — 7. Reyna (T. Tillman, 75'), 20. Balogun (Pepi, 75'), 11. Aaronson.

Paraguay (4-2-3-1, right to left): 22. Gill (GK) — 4. Caceres, 15. G. Gomez, 14. Riveros, 6. J. Alonso — 16. Bobadilla, D. Gonzalez — 19. Enciso, 8. D. Gomez (Sosa, 62'), 10. Almiron — 18. Arce.

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USA vs. Paraguay stats

* Paraguay red card shown to a player on the bench, which did not result in a man disadvantage

USA vs. Paraguay live updates, highlights from November friendly

FULLTIME: USA 2-1 Paraguay

Folarin Balogun's goal, assisted by Gio Reyna, proves the difference as the U.S. Win a tough battle! It ends with a benches-clearing brawl, but that won't dismay Mauricio Pochettino who will be thrilled to see his side play out a deserved victory, even if the middle of the match lacked creative spark.

Paraguay provided little threat outside of Miguel Almiron, who was electric down the left side and troubled the U.S. All evening. Otherwise, they were drab and resorted to physicality, which the U.S. Did well to deflect.

90+2 min: FIGHT!!!! Alex Freeman gets into a wrestling match for the ball as the U.S. Are given a throw, and it turns into an all-out melee!!!!! The benches from both sides are into the fracas!!!! There will be a ton to sort out from this...

A red card is shown to Paraguay substitute Omar Alderete who came off the bench into the middle of the melee, while Cristian Roldan is shown a yellow card. That's the extent of the punishment dished out, which is surprising.

88th min: Chance, Paraguay! Max Arfsten very nearly puts the ball in his own net, as Aidan Morris is nutmegged before a cross smashes off Arfsten and skitters just wide of the far post.

82nd min: Bobadilla is the second Paraguay player booked as he bundles over Tanner Tessman. It's the first yellow card of the second half for either side, as the final 45 minutes have been much cleaner overall than the opening stage of play.

79th min: Chance, USA! RICARDO PEPI HAS THE GOAL GAPING BUT CAN'T PUT IT HOME! Diego Luna creates the chance by marauding down the left, and his lateral ball to Pepi in front of goal is perfectly played behind the trailing defender.

Unfortunately, it's also behind Pepi, and despite the goal being WIDE open just two yards behind him, he can't control the ball and spin around quick enough. By the time he gets himself oriented to tap the ball into the net, a defender has recovered just enough to come sliding in and clear it off the line! WHAT a terrible miss!

78th min: Chance, Paraguay! Looking for another quick equalizer, Miguel Almiron takes a chance that deflects off the referee straight into his path and fires it on goal from distance, forcing Matt Freese into a quality save as he tips it over the crossbar!

75th min: With a goal and an assist on his return to the national team, Gio Reyna makes way as does his fellow goal scorer Folarin Balogun. Ricardo Pepi and Timothy Tillman enter the match, as does Aidan Morris who replaces Cristian Roldan.

70th min: GOAL! USA! FOLARIN BALOGUN RESTORES THE U.S. INTO THE LEAD, AS GIO REYNA MAKES IT HAPPEN!

Paraguay turn it over in their own defensive third just outside the top-left corner of the penalty area, and Reyna takes it from Balogun and charges down the left side of the box. He cuts it back, probably looking for Cristian Roldan in front of goal, but it takes a slight deflection off a defender and falls to the feet of Balogun who buries it from eight yards out!

WE WERE KNOCKIN' ON THE DOOR AND FOLARIN BALOGUN ANSWERED!#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/XljM4c9if5

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 15, 2025

67th min: Chance, USA! The first look on goal for either team is Sergino Dest's final action of the match, as he rips a left-footed shot with a good window of space, but it takes a slight deflection and rises high over the crossbar. It's the first U.S. Shot since the 19th minute.

He is subsequently brought off for Alex Freeman, while Diego Luna comes on for Joe Scally. The latter change indicates there's a formation change, as it leaves only two center-backs on the field for the USA.

63rd min: Folarin Balogun goes down in the penalty area wanting a foul, but the referee does not oblige. There's a heavy challenge from Juan Caceres who clearly shoves Balogun in the back as the Monaco striker looks to get on a Brenden Aaronson vertical ball, but it's not enough for the Guatemalan official to bite.

Both sides are beginning to ready substitutions on the bench. It appears that Diego Luna will be coming on for the United States.

If he had blown for a penalty, it would have been on the softer end of decisions, but also very reasonable. The U.S. Will feel hard done by.

58th min: Almost 15 minutes has passed in the second half, and absolutely nothing of note has taken place.

2nd half kickoff: The second half gets under way with no changes for either side. Two U.S. Players are on yellow cards in Miles Robinson and the goal scorer Gio Reyna, while Diego Gonzalez has been booked so far for Paraguay.

HALFTIME: USA 1-1 Paraguay

The U.S. Opened the match with heavy pressure and were instantly rewarded with a goal for Gio Reyna. It fell apart almost immediately, though, as Miguel Almiron got going in a strong 45 minutes of his own with an assist to Alex Arce on a 10th minute equalizer.

Since then, there's been a lot of U.S. Possession with little end product, while Paraguay look to counter with very little to chew on.

Overall, that was a drab first half, especially after the two early goals. Both sides look a little bit devoid of quality in the attack, especially the U.S. Who have struggled to break down a stout Paraguay structure.

40th min: Diego Gonzalez earns Paraguay's first yellow card for a cynical and blatant shove to the back of Max Arfsten on the touchline. This match is getting less entertaining and more physical as the first half drags on.

37th min: Miguel Almiron, who has terrorized the U.S. So far in this match, draws another yellow card, this time on a foul by Gio Reyna who is the second American into the referee's book.

35th min: The U.S. Has been strong building down the right side as Sergion Dest has been able to get forward a bunch with support from Gio Reyna. So far though, Paraguay have done well to deny their entry into the penalty area despite heavy pressure.

26th min: Miles Robinson is booked for hauling down his former Atlanta United teammate Miguel Almiron in transition.

19th min: Chance, USA! Cristian Roldan powers a shot on goal from a central position just inside the top of the penalty area, but it's too central and is saved low by Orlando Gill! That's a big opportunity!

10th min: GOAL! PARAGUAY! The South American side is level! Miles Robinson completely loses his man Alex Arce in front of goal, and a simple cross by Miguel Almiron from the left leads to a point-blank header which he buries!

Robinson was horrible on that goal, but Tim Ream was also nowhere to be found as he gets caught miles up the pitch!

The U.S. Wasn't in front for long!

Paraguay waste no time at all equalizing against the USMNT ⚡ pic.twitter.com/435F2U5EdW

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 15, 2025

4th min: GOAL! USA! GIO REYNA HAS AN EARLY GOAL!!!!! HE HEADS IT OFF A CORNER!!!

After the first few efforts from the set-piece were turned away, the ball is recycled down the right and Max Arfsten places the ball on a platter for Reyna, who leaps and heads the ball in off the underside of the crossbar!

👏 GIO 👏#USMNT x @VW pic.twitter.com/Qd68avwiX4

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 15, 2025

Kickoff: They're under way at Subaru Park! The USMNT continues its preparation, this time in absence of many star players.

USA vs. Paraguay: Pre-match commentary, analysis, more

15 mins to kick: The United States have four wins, two draws, and two defeats from eight all-time matches against today's opponents Paraguay. They last met in March of 201, with the U.S. Winning 1-0 in Cary, NC.

The next chapter in the series is set to be written shortly!

30 mins to kick: Gio Reyna starts today for the first time under Mauricio Pochettino in what is just his second appearance with the current boss in charge. Tim Ream told the media yesterday that Reyna looks different this camp.

"He's speaking up a lot more in trainings in terms of 'I'm seeing this, what are you seeing?' He's really getting involved in the understanding of the movements and what we're kind of doing in the buildup and in the defensive shape, so I feel like he's more in tune and more focused on the field than I've seen in the past, which is a great thing."

45 mins to kick: The Paraguay lineup is in, and they have made some tweaks as well.

As first-choice striker Antonio Sanabria recovers from a knock, Independiente's Alex Arce has been given the nod at the No. 9 position, while Julio Enciso, Diego Gomez, and Miguel Almiron all support. The 30-year-old Arce has been very good at the club level this season scoring 11 goals and assisting five more in 31 games across all competitions for his Argentine side, including four goals in six Copa Libertadores matches.

Also, Orlando Gill earns just his third international cap in goal, while the regular starter Roberto Fernandez sits.

1 hour to kickoff: The U.S. Returns today to Subaru Park for the first time since 2018, when they beat Bolivia 3-0 in a May friendly.

Down by the Delaware. 📍 pic.twitter.com/tcVGAxJk2B

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 15, 2025

1 hour 15 mins to kick: The USMNT starting lineup is out, and there are some surprises. Joe Scally gets the start, given a chance to win the third center-back position as Max Arfsten and Sergino Dest are deployed out wide. Gio Reyna starts alongside Brenden Aaronson in support of Folarin Balogun up top.

STARTERS AT THE SOOB! 🇺🇸#USMNT x The @HomeDepot pic.twitter.com/DfmrGK6u7n

— U.S. Soccer Men's National Team (@USMNT) November 15, 2025

1 hour 30 mins to kick: Mauricio Pochettino has put every USMNT player on notice. In holding firmly to a long-standing mantra he has repeated since being hired as head coach, Pochettino maintains that no player is guaranteed a place on the World Cup squad.

"No one can feel safe or no one can feel that it’s going to be (on the roster)," Pochettino said in his pre-match press conference, "even the names that you say: Pulisic or Tyler Adams."

It would be ridiculous to believe that either of those players would miss out due to anything other than fitness, but the point stands that each player must perform, and also conduct themselves appropriately, to be selected next summer.

2 hours to kickoff: While there are a number of key first-team players missing from the USMNT squad, one position that seems finally at full strength is the striker spot.

Mauricio Pochettino is excited to have the supposed three first-choice strikers available in Folarin Balogun, Ricardo Pepi, and Haji Wright. He admits that Ricardo is "a bit behind" the other two due to his injury struggles, but he is already back to scoring with PSV and should be competing for a World Cup spot.

Mauricio Pochettino has strikers Haji Wright, Folarin Balogun and Ricardo Pepi all available at once for the first time 💥 pic.twitter.com/J5f18Y0cFr

— B/R Football (@brfootball) November 14, 2025

USA vs. Paraguay kick off time

This international friendly match kicks off from Subaru Park, the home of the Philadelphia Union, on Saturday, November 15 at 5 p.m. Local time in Chester, Pennsylvania. Here's how that time translates across some of the major territories around the United States:

USA vs. Paraguay lineups, team news

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 injured 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 starting lineup (3-4-3): Freese (GK) — M. Robinson, Ream, Scally — Dest, Tessman, Roldan, Arfsten — Reyna, Balogun, Aaronson.

USA subs:  Klinsmann (GK), Celentano (GK), Schulte (GK), Tolkin, Freeman, Trusty, McKenzie, Morris, T. Tillman, Berhalter, Luna, Wright, Pepi.

There are a number of current and former Premier League players in the Paraguay squad, and many of them should see the field.

Former Inter Miami midfielder Diego Gomez has been thriving at Brighton, and he should start in the attack. Former Newcastle star Miguel Almiron, now back at Atlanta United, eyes his 72nd international cap, while Julio Enciso of Chelsea, on loan at Strasbourg, is in contention as well.

Regular starting striker Antonio Sanabria is on the bench as he deals with a knock, meaning Alex Arce gets the start up front.

Paraguay starting lineup (4-2-3-1): Gill (GK) — Caceres, G. Gomez, Riveros, J. Alonso — Bobadilla, D. Gonzalez — Enciso, D. Gomez, Almiron — Arce.

Paraguay subs: A. Perez (GK), R. Fernandez (GK), Alderete, Velazquez, Sandez, Leon, Benitez, Duarte, Ojeda, Kaku, Romero, Galarza, Romero, R. Martinez, Sosa, Sanabria.