The USMNT starting 11 took clear shape in the World Cup 2026 opener, and it tells you plenty about how Mauricio Pochettino wants the United States to play. In a 4-1 win over Paraguay, the head coach lined up in a 4-2-3-1 built on a ball-winning midfield, attacking full-backs and a front four with pace and end product. Here is how the USA line up, the roles in the side and the tactics behind them. For the full pool of players, see our USMNT roster guide.
Pochettino’s 4-2-3-1: the USMNT starting 11
This was the XI that started the 4-1 win over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium, and it is the clearest guide to Pochettino’s first-choice side.
| Position | Player |
|---|---|
| GK | Matt Freese |
| RB | Alex Freeman |
| CB | Chris Richards |
| CB | Tim Ream |
| LB | Antonee Robinson |
| DM | Tyler Adams |
| CM | Weston McKennie |
| AM | Malik Tillman |
| RW | Sergiño Dest |
| LW | Christian Pulisic |
| ST | Folarin Balogun |
The spine: Adams and the double pivot
Everything starts with Tyler Adams. The captain anchors the midfield as the team’s chief ball-winner, and in the opener he won a team-high nine duels at 88% passing, breaking up play and letting the side push forward around him. Alongside him, Weston McKennie gives the double pivot legs and a goal threat from deep, the kind of box-crashing runs that brought him 26 goals at Juventus. Behind them, Chris Richards and veteran Tim Ream bring aerial command and composure, with Ream passing at 93% in the opener.
Attacking full-backs and an inverted Dest
Pochettino asks his full-backs to provide the width and the thrust. Alex Freeman announced himself with an assist and nine duels won at right-back against Paraguay, while Antonee Robinson is one of the most productive attacking full-backs in Europe, with 22 assists in his Fulham career to overlap down the left. That license to attack is balanced by Sergiño Dest, a converted full-back deployed on the right of the front three, who drifts infield and beat his man four times in the opener before being rested.
Pulisic, Tillman and Balogun lead the line
The attacking quartet is where the USA carry their biggest threat. Christian Pulisic is the talisman from the left, a forward whose 38 goals at AC Milan came from an expected-goals figure of just 17.56, and he set up a goal inside a sharp 45 minutes against Paraguay. Malik Tillman is the creative hub at number 10, weighing in with an assist and five shots in the opener, while Folarin Balogun leads the line as the focal point and took his chance with two goals from five shots. It is a front four built to press from the front and punish in transition.
Pochettino’s bench: game-changers in reserve
The strength in depth is real. Gio Reyna changed the game off the bench against Paraguay, scoring within minutes of coming on, and Ricardo Pepi is among the most reliable super-subs around, with a goal every 80 minutes across his PSV spell. Add Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter for midfield control and Tim Weah and Haji Wright in attack, and Pochettino can change a game without weakening it.
How it looked against Paraguay
The opener was the template: a high press, aggressive full-backs, and quick combinations through Tillman and Pulisic to feed Balogun, all anchored by Adams. The result was a comfortable 4-1 win and a performance that backed up the plan. For the marks out of 10, read our USA vs Paraguay player ratings.
What is next for the USA
Attention turns to Australia in Seattle on June 19, where Pochettino is likely to keep faith with the same framework. See the full squad in our USMNT roster guide, the bigger picture in our World Cup 2026 hub, and the latest World Cup 2026 winner odds. Heading to a game? Grab seats with our World Cup 2026 tickets guide. More on the team at U.S. Soccer. Must be 21+ and present in a state where betting is legal. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER.
Wondering how the knockout path works? See our World Cup 2026 bracket guide.
Against Paraguay, Mauricio Pochettino picked a 4-2-3-1: Matt Freese in goal; Alex Freeman, Chris Richards, Tim Ream and Antonee Robinson across the back; Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie in midfield; Malik Tillman at number 10; Sergino Dest and Christian Pulisic wide; and Folarin Balogun up top.
Pochettino set the USA up in a 4-2-3-1 in the World Cup 2026 opener, with a double pivot of Tyler Adams and Weston McKennie behind Malik Tillman, and attacking full-backs pushing high to support the front three.
Tyler Adams anchors the midfield as the main ball-winner, with Weston McKennie alongside him in a double pivot and Malik Tillman operating as the advanced playmaker. Cristian Roldan and Sebastian Berhalter offer depth.
Pochettino’s USA press high, use aggressive overlapping full-backs and build through midfield to feed Christian Pulisic, Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun, with pace off the bench from the likes of Gio Reyna and Ricardo Pepi.