USA vs. Paraguay World Cup prediction: Picks, odds, best bets for USMNT opener
One of the most anticipated moments in the history of U.S.Soccer takes place on Friday night.
The United States Men’s National Team begins its World Cup adventure with a 9 p.m.ET kickoff against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
There’s always added pressure on the host countries in a World Cup, but the heat has been especially turned up on the Yanks, given that they have been building towards, and the country has been looking forward to, this moment for the better part of a decade.Friday’s tilt with La Albirroja will go a long way in determining whether or not Team USA meets this massive moment.The United States enters this match in an unfamiliar position.
Not only are they a -110 favorite to win the game, but they’re also the team to beat in Group D, per the bookies.The Yanks are +125 to top the set, putting them ahead of Turkey (+190), Paraguay (+410), and Australia (+800).This is the first time that the United States has entered a World Cup as the betting favorite to win its group.There is almost certainly a hometown tax being applied to the pricing of the Yanks in the betting market, since they will undoubtedly attract most of the action in this match and group, but that doesn’t mean that Mauricio Pochettino’s side doesn’t deserve to be the favorites among this quartet.
The strength of the American side is its versatility in attack.Christian Pulisic is the game-breaker, but he’s got more support than he’s ever had while playing for his home country.
Folarin Balogun gives the Yanks a real threat at striker, while Malik Tillman, Tim Weah, Haji Wright, and Ricardo Pepi give Pochettino plenty of options to throw different looks at opposing defenses.The middle of the pitch is also well taken care of for the Americans with the battery of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie.Adams is a relentless ball-winner and is a capable tempo-setter, while McKennie is a Swiss Army Knife and is coming off a terrific season for Juventus.Antonee Robinson an...