USA Survives Late Chaos to Edge Paraguay 2-1 as Alderete Sees Red

CHESTER, Pa. – The United States held off a desperate Paraguay comeback to secure a 2-1 victory in an international friendly at Subaru Park on Saturday, but only after surviving a chaotic stoppage-time sequence that saw Paraguay's Omar Alderete sent off for poor sportsmanship in the 94th minute. Folarin Balogun's 71st-minute winner proved decisive as head coach Mauricio Pochettino's side weathered late pressure to claim three points in front of the home crowd.

The match exploded into life from the opening whistle, with Giovanni Reyna needing just four minutes to stake the United States to an early advantage. Max Arfsten provided the creative spark, delivering a precise assist that allowed Reyna to finish clinically and give the Americans the perfect start. The early goal appeared to settle the hosts, who looked to control possession and dictate tempo at their leisure.

Paraguay's response was swift and emphatic. Just six minutes after falling behind, the visitors restored parity through Alex Arce in the 10th minute. Miguel Almirón, operating with dangerous intent down the right flank, supplied the assist for Arce's well-taken finish. The quick turnaround demonstrated Paraguay's resilience and tactical flexibility under head coach Guillermo Alfaro, refusing to be discouraged by the early setback.

The remainder of the first half developed into a physical, tightly-contested affair. Miles Robinson received the match's first yellow card in the 26th minute as tackles flew in from both sides. Reyna himself was cautioned in the 36th minute for a foul, while Paraguay's Diego González joined the referee's notebook in the 40th minute. The three cautions before halftime underscored the competitive intensity and neither team willing to concede an inch.

Both sides created half-chances before the interval, with the United States earning corners through Arfsten's deliveries while Paraguay's Diego González and Diego Gomez orchestrated set-piece opportunities from their end. Goal preventions by Miles Robinson and blocks from Paraguay's Blas Riveros kept the scoreline level as the teams headed to the locker rooms locked at 1-1.

Pochettino made tactical adjustments at halftime that would prove crucial to the final outcome. The United States pressed higher and disrupted Paraguay's ability to build from the back, forcing the visitors into more direct play. Paraguay continued to threaten on set pieces, winning corners in the 52nd and 53rd minutes through Gomez's deliveries, but the American defense held firm.

The decisive moment arrived in the 71st minute when Balogun restored the United States' lead. The striker's clinical finish made it 2-1 and gave the hosts breathing room as the match entered its final stages. Just two minutes later, Balogun attempted another effort on goal, demonstrating the confidence flowing through the American attack.

Pochettino immediately reinforced his midfield and attack with a triple substitution at the 75-minute mark. Timothy Tillman replaced the goalscorer Reyna, Ricardo Pepi came on for Balogun, and Aidan Morris entered for Cristian Roldán. The wholesale changes aimed to maintain energy levels and protect the slender advantage. Paraguay countered with their own double substitution at 72 minutes, introducing Antonio Sanabria for Arce and Braian Ojeda for Julio Enciso.

The final fifteen minutes saw Paraguay throw everything forward in search of an equalizer. Head coach Alfaro continued making changes, bringing on Ramon Sosa in the 61st minute, then KAKU at 80 minutes, and L. Romero at 81 minutes in a desperate attempt to unlock the American defense. The United States made further adjustments, with Alex Freeman and Diego Luna entering at 67 minutes for Sergino Dest and Joe Scally respectively, while Sebastian Berhalter replaced Brenden Aaronson in the 80th minute.

Paraguay's increasingly aggressive approach created tension but also left them vulnerable. The visitors won corners in the 78th and 79th minutes through Gomez and Almirón, forcing the United States goalkeeper into saves at 78 and 87 minutes. Miles Robinson continued his strong defensive performance with crucial blocks, while Aidan Morris made a vital goal prevention in the 91st minute to deny Paraguay's late surge.

The match descended into chaos in stoppage time. Damián Bobadilla received a yellow card in the 82nd minute for a foul as frustrations mounted. Tillman was ruled offside in the 89th minute as the United States looked to relieve pressure. Paraguay won yet another corner through Ramon Sosa in the 91st minute, desperately seeking the equalizer that would save their afternoon.

Then came the explosive finale. In the 94th minute, with Paraguay pushing everyone forward and emotions running high, Omar Alderete was shown a straight red card for poor sportsmanship. The dismissal sparked further confrontation, with Junior Alonso immediately receiving a yellow card for his reaction, while the United States' Cristian Roldán was also cautioned in the same sequence. The referee struggled to restore order as both benches became animated in the dying seconds.

Even reduced to ten men, Paraguay continued attacking. KAKU was ruled offside in the 95th minute in the final meaningful action before the referee brought proceedings to a close. The United States had survived—barely—to claim victory in a match that provided far more drama than the scoreline suggests.

Statistically, the match reflected its competitive nature. Both teams created multiple opportunities, with Paraguay earning numerous corners throughout the contest while the United States proved more clinical in converting their chances. The United States goalkeeper made crucial saves, while defensive blocks from Robinson and Morris proved vital in protecting Balogun's winner.

Individual performances shaped the outcome significantly. Reyna's early goal and overall influence justified Pochettino's faith before his substitution, while Arfsten's creativity in providing the opening assist demonstrated the depth in the American attacking options. For Paraguay, Almirón's assist and overall threat down the flanks kept the United States honest, while Arce's equalizer showed their capacity to respond to adversity.

The red card to Alderete in stoppage time will dominate headlines, but the United States earned this victory through superior finishing and defensive resilience when it mattered most. Balogun's winner proved to be the difference, rewarding the American pressure and tactical adjustments from Pochettino's coaching staff.

For the United States, this result provides momentum as Pochettino continues implementing his philosophy with the national team. The ability to withstand late pressure and manage a one-goal lead demonstrates growing maturity, though the chaotic stoppage-time sequence will concern the coaching staff. Paraguay can take encouragement from their competitive display despite the defeat, though Alderete's dismissal overshadows an otherwise spirited performance from Alfaro's side.

Both nations will view this friendly as valuable preparation for future competitions, with lessons learned about maintaining composure in high-pressure moments and the fine margins that separate victory from defeat in international football. USA now plays Uruguay in Tampa, Florida.

Final Score: United States 2-1 Paraguay

Goals:

• 4' Giovanni Reyna (USA) - Assisted by Max Arfsten
• 10' Alex Arce (PAR) - Assisted by Miguel Almirón
• 71' Folarin Balogun (USA)

Discipline:

• Yellow Cards: Miles Robinson 26' (USA), Giovanni Reyna 36' (USA), Diego González 40' (PAR), Damián Bobadilla 82' (PAR), Junior Alonso 90'+4' (PAR), Cristian Roldán 90'+4' (USA)
• Red Card: Omar Alderete 90'+4' (PAR)