Since failing to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, the US Soccer Federation has actually done a decent job of scheduling the types of opponents the men’s national team (MNT) needs to play more of to get better game experience. Since missing the World Cup, MNT has played two games (both against European teams) and has four more on the docket: two against South American teams and two against European teams. There has also finally been something of an infusion of youth into the squad, with many fresh faces and few old ones. The young guns will get a chance to show what they’re made of in this upcoming friendly against a team that also missed the World Cup, but still represents a stiff test: Paraguay.

The roster for this game was released a little over a week ago and it was almost universally met with praise for its makeup. Only three of the players have more than 20 caps (DeAndre Yedlin, Darlington Nagbe, and Bobby Wood) while an astonishing 16 players having earned fewer than five caps (and of those 16, eight of them have never played for the US at the senior international level). There is one notable absence however and this is Christian Pulisic. However, his omission makes sense as this game really means very little and he is fighting for playing time at Borussia Dortmund. Even without Pulisic, there’s still plenty of players to be excited about. First and foremost is 18 year old Timothy Weah (son of Liberian president and former player George Weah). Weah has recently started to earn first team minutes with French giants Paris Saint-Germain and was a breakout star at the 2017 U-17 World Cup in India. Elsewhere on the roster 19 year old Weston McKennie (who scored is his debut against Portugal in November and is getting playing time at Schalke in Germany) and 19 year old Tyler Adams should do well in the midfield while on the back line there are a plethora of options such as 22 year old Matt Miazga (playing at Vitesse in the Netherlands), 21 year old Shaq Moore (playing with Levante in Spain), 20 year old Erik Palmer-Brown (playing with Kortrijk in Belgium) and 20 year old Antonee Robinson (playing at Bolton Wanderers in England). All in all this is a very young and talented roster that should give some glimmer of hope to the fans who need something to look forward to with no World Cup this summer.

Paraguay comes into this game in a multi-year long slump. Back with Tata Martino (who many feel should be the next USMNT manager) at the helm Paraguay made it to the quarterfinals of the World Cup in 2010 and then was runner up at the 2011 Copa America. However, after Martino left Paraguay has been in a tailspin. They failed to qualify for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil (even though South America got an extra team in with Brazil as hosts). They did make it to the semifinals of the 2015 Copa America but failed to get out of the group stage at the 2016 Copa America Centenario (losing to the US 1-0 in the final group game). And like the US they failed to qualify for the World Cup in Russia this summer, finishing 7th in the 10 team table. In 2017 they had a record of 3-6-0 (W-L-D) and they haven’t played since October. They do have a somewhat experienced roster, especially in the midfield. Cristian Riveros has 100 caps and 16 goals while on the back line Gustavo Gomez has 27 caps and currently plays with AC Milan in Italy. There will be a familiar face for fans to see as Atlanta United’s Miguel Almiron will be present. He has 12 caps for Paraguay but is still looking for his first goal.

Notes:

• This will be the first time the USMNT has played in Cary, NC in 12 years. Their last appearance was in April of 2006 against Jamaica.

• The post-World Cup Qualifying schedule for the MNT looks like this: @ Portugal, vs. Bosnia & Herzegovina, vs. Paraguay, vs. Bolivia, @ Republic of Ireland, @ France

When and where to watch the game on TV and streaming:

Tuesday, March 27, 2018
7:30pm ET
TV: FOX Sports 1, UniMas, Univision Deportes,
Streaming: DIRECTV NOW, Sling Blue and fubo Premier (7-day free trial)

All-time series:

USA leads series 3-2-2

Last meeting:

June 11, 2016
Lincoln Financial Field, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
USA 1–0 Paraguay

Current FIFA ranking:

USA: 25
Paraguay: 30

Next game:

May 28, 2018
USA vs. Bolivia (friendly)
Talen Energy Stadium, Chester, Pennsylvania