Soccer-U.S. picks Freese in goal, Paraguay's Enciso makes start in World Cup match in LA


Soccer Football - FIFA World Cup 2026 - United States Training - Great Park Sports Complex, Irvine, California, U.S. - June 11, 2026 Matt Freese of the U.S. during training IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters/Kiyoshi Mio

LOS ⁠ANGELES, June 12 (Reuters) - U.S. coach Mauricio Pochettino ⁠has selected Matt Freese over Matt ‌Turner to start in goal in Friday's World Cup match at Los Angeles Stadium while Julio Enciso will make ​a surprise start for Paraguay ⁠despite a recent ⁠injury.

• U.S. starting lineup includes defender Chris Richards, ⁠who ‌had been working his way back from an ankle injury.

• Folarin Balogun ⁠and Christian Pulisic spearhead U.S. attack and ​captain Tim ‌Ream will lead the home side's defence.

• ⁠Enciso's presence ​should provide a boost to a Paraguay squad that has struggled to score in recent matches.

• ⁠Gustavo Alfaro selects Orlando Gill ​to start in goal.

• The Group D match marks the first match in the U.S. of ⁠the expanded 48-team World Cup.

Lineups:

Paraguay: Orlando Gill, Omar Alderete, Juan Jose Caceres, Junior Alonso, Gustavo Gomez, Diego Gomez, Miguel Almiron, Andres Cubas, ​Damian Bobadilla, Antonio Sanabria, Julio ⁠Enciso

United States: Matt Freese, Sergino Dest, Chris Richards, ​Antonee Robinson, Tim Ream, ‌Alex Freeman, Tyler Adams, Weston ​McKennie, Malik Tillman, Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun

(Reporting by Rory CarrollEditing by Christian Radnedge)

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