PHOTO: FACEBOOK

AGENCIES

The United States will be under pressure to kick off their World Cup campaign with a victory when they host Paraguay on Friday, with anything less likely to raise fresh questions about the tournament co-hosts’ credentials.

History favours the Americans, who have won their last three meetings with the South Americans, including a 2-1 friendly victory in November, but they will have to get into gear quickly in a tough group that also includes Australia and Turkey. The teams also met at the inaugural World Cup in 1930, when the US emerged victorious.

A packed Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood is expected to provide a raucous atmosphere as the hosts look to settle quickly through an attack led by Weston McKennie, Christian Pulisic and Folarin Balogun. Defence remains the main concern as they’ve managed just one clean sheet in their last 13 matches while conceding 11 goals in their previous four outings.

Paraguay are appearing at their first World Cup since reaching the quarterfinals in 2010, where they lost to eventual champions Spain.

Paraguay’s strength lies at the back, but goals have been harder to come by, with just 14 scored in 18 qualifying matches. Their task is made tougher by the absence of leading forward Julio Enciso, who misses the opener with a thigh injury.