USA should expect more ball and more territory, with Pochettino’s side trying to stretch Paraguay’s compact block through the width of **Pulisic** and the vertical threat of **Balogun**. Paraguay’s best path is to slow the game, compress central spaces, and turn it into a transition fight where **Diego Gómez** can launch quick breaks toward **Ávalos** and **Pitta**. The key battles are USA’s chance-creation against Paraguay’s center-back pair and screening midfield, plus whether the US can protect itself against the first pass after turnovers. If USA’s rest defense holds and **Sebastian Berhalter** can help recycle attacks without exposing counterattacks, the Americans’ pace and quality should tilt it; if Paraguay drags it into a physical, low-scoring scrap, the draw becomes live.
