Scuffed | USMNT, World Cup, Yanks Abroad, futbol in America - #664: Checking in on Paraguay with Roberto Rojas

Episode Date: February 7, 2026

Rojas, the host of Guarani Vision, THE English-language podcast about the Paraguay men's national team, joins us to talk about Paraguay's wildly successful qualifying campaign in Conmebol, a little about the Guarani, nights at the Defensores del Chaco, the intensity of that friendly in November, and much more.Guarani Vision on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@guaranivision7095And on Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/guarani-vision/id1531368204And on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/61leHGoRBimyErZSx2eKyF Skip the ads! Subscribe to Scuffed on Patreon and get all episodes ad-free, plus any bonus episodes. Patrons at $5 a month or more also get access to Clip Notes, a video of key moments on the field we discuss on the show, plus all patrons get access to our private Discord server, live call-in shows, and the full catalog of historic recaps we've made: https://www.patreon.com/scuffedAlso, check out Boots on the Ground, our USWNT-focused spinoff podcast headed up by Tara and Vince. They are cooking over there, you can listen here: https://boots-on-the-ground.simplecast.comAnd check out our MERCH, baby. We have better stuff than you might think: https://www.scuffedhq.com/store Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Welcome to the Scuff Podcast when we talk about U.S. soccer. Our guest today is the host of Lorani Vision, the English Language podcast that covers the Paraguay Men's National Team. He's based in Connecticut. Roberto Rojas, welcome to Scuffed. Hey, thanks for having me, man.

Really glad to be here. Yeah, we, I feel like we followed each other on Twitter for like eight years now or something, but that's the first time we've been on the podcast. because we're playing, you know, the teams we love are playing each other very shortly here in a very important game. What's the outlook? What's the outlook for Paraguay fans? Yeah.

I mean, look, it's even crazy, even for me, like obviously as a Paraguayan American to have such a game like this. You know, I remember, and it was crazy, like just going back to the draw two months ago. Because what was special about that was on the day, the day after that was my birthday. So it was a nice little birthday present to see. my two countries play in probably their most important World Cup game in years or decades, I would say. So, no, I think it's certainly something that I think now assessing it two months later.

And, you know, I think there was always that little chat that I have with my friends, family, journalists from around the world, especially given that this is such a global event. I think, no, the assessment really for Paraguay, I think is a positive one. And I genuinely thought that, you know, initially when I first saw the group, obviously, I want to play the U.S. for obvious reasons. Yeah. But then just like looking at it, then came Australia, then came a European team that, you know, we don't know who could be.

It could be one of four teams, but it's not like the juggernauts that we could get, like, in Italy or something. I think it's a good outlook. You know, certainly it's, you know, I don't want to say it's a group of life. I don't want to say even a group of death. Sort of a group of second chances because, you know, as we discussed on One of New Vision on the podcast that I do, which, Ralph and Feta, you know, I think that's always been something that we kind of stressed is that this is really a group that is open for anyone. Anyone could win. Anyone can go second. Anyone can finish in third place and anyone can go last. I think that's as crazy as that group

could be. So I think it's certainly from a pot, like to begin with, you know, I'm sure we'll talk about the specific matches and the players and, you know, the storylines. But I think from a general outlook, I think it's a positive one. I think for the first time in quite some time, at least, you know, in good recent Paraguay and World Cup history again. This is the first time they've been in 16 years. So that's already a cause for, you know, celebration, the fact that they made it. But as we know, like, you know, when you go to a World Cup and especially having the qualifying process and the players that they've had, you know, obviously you go there to compete.

And I think for the first time, you know, at least in this, like I said, the recent history of, you know, them being at the World Cup, I think it's the first time that Paraguay can really have a good realistic chance of, you know, not only being competitive, but, you know, winning that group and obviously seeing what they can do outside of that, you know, when they go to the knockout stage. Yeah. So there's so much we could get into here, but like, Paraguay's last, like he said, last World Cup was 16 years ago, 2010.

That was the best one ever for Paraguay, right? Like, they went to the quarterfinals? Yeah, lost to the defending champion. Spain. We're a penalty away, actually. Yeah. And yeah. You know, it's been sort of a, you know,

spiral ever since you know the fact that they even went to the cope of america the following year they finished as runners up they actually went the entire tournament without winning a game that's crazy it was uh they drew all their three group stage matches they beat brazil and venezuela in the quarters and semis by penalties but they didn't score a goal in any of them and they lost d'ioreau i 3-0 in the final and then after that it was just been a downward decline basically in other country stepping up you know paraguay finished last in 2014 paraguay where one went away from making the playoff in 2018. They lost to Venezuela, a team that was already the last place at the time.

And then 2022, you know, they got eliminated much earlier than expected. So, yeah, I think it's certainly been a long time coming. And, you know, even just going, you know, I was talking off the air before we started recording is like the idea of that like, you know, assessing everything that happened in the last three years or so, you know, the fact that they were going into this qualifying process. They knew that there was going to be an extra spot to qualify, you know, obviously. it's always competitive in South America, as we know.

So the team will always be there to make your life difficult, basically. But then, you know, you look at how it started as well. They only won one game, and it was a one-no one against Bolivia at home. Bolivia said it's historically poor away from home. And then came the Copa America. They were with already another coach because of how badly the start was with the previous coach, Guillermo Barroskeleto. They came in now with Anya Nogernero.

go to the Copa America in the United States, finishing dead last. They win a single game. And then they sack him. And then comes Gustavo Alfardo. And I think that's where everything sort of changed from that September, 2012 to now, basically, that has made Paraguay one of the more consistent teams, at least in that time span, not just in South America, but I think in all of world football. Because of the sort of rise, who they beat, the players that were at disposal.

And yeah, now here coming into a World Cup. where they get, you know, one of the co-host, they get a favorable draw. And I think the expectation is now. And I think the excitement for a lot of Paraguayans is really getting into that feeling, especially now, of course, with players that, you know, we're keeping an eye out, what they're doing it abroad, you know, obviously making lists. We have friendlies that are coming up next month against Greece and Morocco to see how good they are before, you know, the sort of World Cup sort of prep actually begins in June.

And then just going from there. I think that's sort of the evolution of what Paraguay has been in the last... Three years, I would say, I certainly didn't expect it to be this good. But hey, I'm not complaining that they actually will be playing in the World Cup in three months time. Well, some people might think, you know, the reason Paraguay qualified is because the format is easier, which maybe there's some truth to that. But you got to, I mean, I don't know if everybody will realize you guys, you guys beat Uruguay in qualifying, you beat Brazil. Yep. 1-0 beat Argentina, 2-1.

So I want to ask, what was your favorite moment from that qualifying campaign? Well, I've had the fortune of actually going to, you know, two of the games. You know, like I said, we were talking off the area, I had the fortune going to the game against Chile that we beat last year, and we beat them 1-0, and then obviously we beat Uruguay 2-0. I would have loved to have been to that game where they qualified against Ecuador as a nil-nil-n-n-draud, but just the fact that you were actually at the stadium. That was in a senseu.

In Ascunzio, yeah. That would have been really cool, but unfortunately, I didn't go. I think, you know, it's always a special moment when you're going to games and you've seen that happen. You know, like I said, I've had the fortune going to so many Barreweigh games in the past. Some that have been really bad in terms of just form because they've been losing historically. And obviously, it's frustration for a lot of Paraguines that, you know, get the chance to watch their team in the Cop America or Olympics or whatever. And sometimes it doesn't go the way that they want. That being said, seeing that game against Argentina,

You know, the one that they want came to won. A wonderful bicycle kick from Antonio Zanaria. Oh, what a goal. I mean. It was fantastic. It should have won the Puskas today. I'm not Viva. You guys that vote in that.

So, yeah, when that happened, and obviously the game winner from Omarlede Rete, and I think obviously, I think. Not too shabby either. Yeah. The header back against the green. Wonderful. I mean, that's kind of the Paraguayan sort of virtue, you know, the, you know, everyone talks about Arsenal being so good at set pieces and, you know, that being so important.

But, hey, Baraguay, I've done it beforehand. That's that kind of their identity. Anyway, I think that game itself, I mean, we can talk about other games and Which game are you talking about? The Argentino game. Yeah. That one kind of confirmed to not just us, but also the rest of the world, like, okay, these guys are like actually serious. They can actually come and, you know, they haven't qualified yet, but they're like, okay, yeah, they're probably going to qualify and they're probably going to make things difficult.

Because if they're doing that with the defending champions of the world and two-time defending Copa America champions, with Messi and all those superstars, Yeah. It was to say they can't do it against the other big teams around the world. Yeah, that was, I mean, I didn't watch the game when it happened, but it seems like a pretty impressive win because he went down, what, 15, 20 minutes in? Yeah, Laota-Martino scored and then they responded. Kind of an iffy, maybe it was offside. Yeah.

And then you guys got the equalizer with the bicycle kick and then the second half winner on the header. Incredible, yeah. Miguel, so we're just going to skip around a little bit. Miguel, on Miron. back in Atlanta, is he washed? Well, look, if you told Paraguines that, and they haven't made the World Cup, they probably say yes,

but I think just because now, and you know, it's always easy to change minds of people's perception. I mean, look, Admi Don had gotten sort of a love-hate relationship for a long time for Paraguines, you know, the fact that... Really? Yeah, yeah.

Oh, totally. Oh, my God. But it would just be a love-love relationship with... Well, now, yeah, for sure. I mean, you know, he's on the front covers of newspapers and he's doing ads around the country, I think he certainly earned and he's the number 10. So I think he certainly earned his respect. But it took a while.

It took a while because obviously, you know, when he went to England, when he played for Newcastle, and obviously even back when he was at Atlanta, you know, he was certainly the main number, you know, the main star for Paraguay, especially for a team that, again, wasn't performing as well as they should have on a national team perspective. They weren't competitive compared to like their other rivals. And so there was so much pressure coming from him because of like, okay, he's doing so well in a league. And obviously now he's the primary league.

He's playing a burden. Why isn't the team doing better? Yeah. Exactly. But now, you know, the fact that, again, I'm sure it must have been a change from what Gustavo Alfardo had been doing and obviously sort of that momentum. And then, you know, I think certainly his age as well is a factor. But I think him sort of changing that sort of mentality and of course, you know,

him performing well, scoring crucial goals, providing assist in crucial games. I think that's obviously changed the perception of him in a way that, you know, like I said, if we had talked about this two years ago or something, it would have been a different story, but because now we are talking in there at the World Cup and he's one of the main stars, I don't know, I don't think he's watched at all. I mean, you know, certainly you can't say that to a player

that is going to, you know, it would have been nice to see him in Europe. I think, you know, for much as his stay at Newcastle wasn't the best, I think he was still useful. You know, certainly Newcastle, I think would like to have a player like him right now. Yeah, he had some incredible moments in Newcast. Exactly. Yeah. I think, again, it's all.

about consistency and whatnot. But no, I think, look, if he's the captain of your team in MLS in a place that he's obviously an important piece, you know, certainly now with a coach with Tata Martino, he's back. Obviously, we know the story between them and how they kind of succeeded when Atlanta won MLS Cup. Now that they're back, they have this reunion. And obviously, with the World Cup coming on, I think there are more than enough sort

of attention that's going to be placed on him to obviously do well for Atlanta, make sure he's prepared. But, of course, when he goes and where's the Paraguay jersey, I think it's kind of going to change a lot of people's sort of perception. Because that's the thing, as much as that is also the brutal sort of thing, you know, as much as Paraguayans won't tell you this. But because they kind of grew up in those World Cups that they've seen them in the past, they understand that like, hey, yeah, you know, this is something that's great to see in the qualifiers.

But now you've got to do it in the actual competition. So him being the number 10, I think is certainly going to put some pressure on him as well, because I think it's like, all right, you've got this group, you've got this group of players, he got this coach and, you know, everything's sort of, you know, feeling as if though it's bubbling up. Now it's time to actually really show up when it actually means something important. Hmm. Okay. This, um, the Guarani. I was, I, I'm interested in this. So do people in, a lot of people in Paraguay, and how do you, and you guys say Paraguay on your show or you say Paraguay? I mean, look, it could depend on your head. I get all fancy with it.

It depends on your accent, basically. I like to say by the white, because that's like, obviously, the Paraguay in Spanish that I know. Yeah. Sometimes they say Paraguay because it's the American English, so. Okay. It doesn't really matter. It's not Uruguay, though. Let's, let's get that out of the way.

We're not Uruguay. So as long as you could say, whatever pronunciation you want to the country, just don't say the you instead of. Okay. Yeah. I won't do that. All right. But, but so people grow up speaking Guarani, like a fair number of Paraguay. of Paraguayans?

Yeah, it's an official language. It's actually a really interesting story when you think about it. But, you know, I won't bore you too much, but I'll give you... No, no, I'm... Bore me, please. No, but, I mean, basically, look, it's, you know, as we know, like South America is obviously full of indigenous people and, you know, it was there in Amerindian turns and whatnot.

So, obviously, it was one of those languages spoken by the indigenous people in Paraguay, you know, before it became an actual country. When the Europeans came in and obviously, you know, that fight for independence and whatnot. I think there was that sort of like fear. It was like, okay, do we keep the language or do we stick it to Spanish? Like all the other neighbors are doing. But obviously, one of the leaders in a, I don't know if it's a cheeky way or whatever, but hey, he's probably the reason why it's still there. They forced basically, um, forced mixed, yeah, forced mixing basically that, you know, Amor indigenous people had to marry Europeans and, you know, obviously they had to learn

one in Spanish. That's why 95% of the country is mestizo, which is obviously a mix of, you know, European heritage and indigenous heritage. And with that comes with the language. So it just, it stood there. It stood, you know, obviously all this sort of European sort of opposition, you would say, you know, the fact that, you know, many other countries kind of forgot sort of their roots. Paraguay didn't.

So it's an official language. Yeah, obviously a majority of the country speak it. It's taught in schools. It's obviously spoken in daily life. Typically, if you are from a more blue-collar, middle-class, rural sort of, you know, background, you're probably more likely to speak it than English. I'm sorry, Spanish. Than Spanish.

Yeah. But, you know, it's still something that is predominantly important in the country, and it's part of their identity, you know. And, of course, that also goes onto the soccer pitch as well. A lot of players, you know, a lot of these players come from these sort of backgrounds, like, you know, blue collar or even poor, and they speak it on the pitch as well and within themselves. So the Guarani were the, it's like a series of tribes, right?

A series of indigenous tribes that was just, not just Paraguay, but Argentina, Brazil, right? Yeah, Bolivia as well. Okay, all right. So it's like the Peru has the Inca. what does what does columbia have i guess they have the inca too metzgo have the asex yeah so yeah that sort of thing yeah no i think it just you know stood the test of time and like i said it's such a huge part of a paraguay and that you know it's not

it's not really a country that is known for a lot you know from yeah or a bad perspective let's be real but you know the fact that you have you know them being called los warenia is or you know having what ani is like part of their their language or just you know them being known as that i think it provides sort of heritage and that shows that they are relevant to the world. And of course, you know, obviously them being at the World Cup, I think, is going to open a lot of people, especially the Americans. I think, you know, obviously they played them in a friendly a couple months ago, but the World Cup is out. We'll get to that. We'll get to that.

But the World Cup also is going to open a lot more casuals. Like, you know, the fact that there's going to be people that are going to be like, oh, you know, maybe, maybe for some. Let's be real. I don't know how advanced American geography are in 2006, but maybe it's the first time they see Paras. Not very advanced. I'm going to guess just throw it out there. Yeah, but you never know. Maybe the first time they've heard of Paraguay, if they've seen Paraguay or they know

these players or maybe they just remember, oh, yeah, I remember Amarone, who plays that, who used to play in Newcast or Gigo Gomez, who plays at Brighton and Ciso, you know, those kind of names. But, yeah, but that sort of thing. And, you know, that's going to be a big thing for a lot of, you know, fans that are going to watch the World Cup for countries that are playing in the first time, like, you know, Uzbekistan, Jordan, K. and Cape Verm, et cetera.

And then teams that are back for the first time in quite some time, like Norway, like Scotland, South Africa, whatever. I think that's certainly, I think Paraguay's in that sort of bubble as well because, you know, they've been a country that, again, hasn't been to a World Cup in 16 years. So it's going to be interesting to see that sort of like perception, I guess, of the country, either good or bad,

once the World Cup happens. Yeah. You said people speak Guarani on the field. Do you know any words? Can you give us a couple words? So, I mean, I can't do like actual sentences because I am bilingual in English and Spanish. I think it caps that one I need just because it's such an intense language. I feel you have to like really live it when you're like in Paraguay.

My parents know it. My family know it because that's really. Okay. Oh yeah. Yeah, absolutely. But you said your family's been here, been in the States for like 40 years. Yeah, they've been here for almost 40 years. But, you know, they came from that rural background as well.

They grew up on like, you know, small villages and whatnot. So. And obviously the people. that are based in here, the immigrants that have come from Paraguay are typically those of that same sort of background. So historically speaking, they always speak within that. That's what I'm looking for. So the typical, well, the typical, so you're saying the typical Paraguayan who emigrates to the U.S. is more from like the rural areas, the blue collar?

It varies. Obviously, it varies where you're from and whatnot. But like, yeah, at least, you know, I could speak from my experience because we're such a small community. You know, I think there's like 30,000 in the whole country alone, which is crazy to think. Like, it's just, it's, it's not even enough to fill, uh, SoFi, which is going to be the game. Like, if you got every single Paraguayan, uh, to be at SoFi, it wouldn't even fill half of the stadium, which is crazy to think. So, but anyway, yeah, I mean, look, it's, it's a majority of the fans, of the people that come from those backgrounds. Obviously, they speak Spanish,

because that's always going to be part of their, their day to day and whatnot. But yeah, yeah, a lot of these guys are typically bilingual and they always speak within each other because like I said you're more comfortable speaking that language when you're with someone that is of that same background. Yes, you'll speak Spanish and obviously that's not going to be discarded one way but you could say a what I need to like tell

a joke or something that's a bit more emotional or something like that. And the good thing is that there actually is something called Jopara. So it's like a creole. It's like a mix of like you put in Spanish words with what any words. So I'll say a lot of any words. So I'll say a lot of any word like baishapa that means like what's up that's uh that's kind of the the simplest

word that you could probably know out of like if you if if what an he is described in like one single word it's by eshapa because that's like that just is generally hello it's like say ohla and that kind of okay okay cool yeah all right um and you know i do know i am an american who knows a little geography so just i just want you to know that oh of course i don't i don't describe I don't, I'm not putting any shame on you, but, you know, there could be some. I get it. I'm just, I'm just messing around. So, so Ascenae is, like, it's right on the river, and Argentina's right across the river from the city, right?

Mm-hmm. I say that, partly to display my trivial knowledge, but also to ask, like, who is the enemy, soccer-wise, for Paraguay. Yeah, I mean, I think, you know, it's certainly... You have a lot to choose from. Well, no, but I think one stands out more than anyone. I think it's just because of cultural sort of similarities and, you know, even sort of differences.

And of course, like you said, just how close they are. It has to be Argentina. I think certainly, like, you know, because I think Brazil, as much as they are obviously a rival for a lot of South American countries, I think there's still, there isn't that sort of like similar cultural. Obviously, they speak Portuguese and they speak Spanish. So I think because Argentina, being that it's so close to there, Paraguay has the largest immigrant community in Argentina

out of any other nationality, just because so many have immigrated there. So there is that sort of like belief and sometimes, you know, cruelty to some Argentines that, you know, paraguines go in there and, you know, obviously do like the general sort of immigrant work. But also you've got to look at the and it's also cool because you also look at the national team as well. You got some players there that I think this is the beauty of not just international soccer but also what the World Cup will show

is that you have so many players that are representing Paraguay, their families country over their native country. So you have, I think, four Argentine-born players that represent Paraguay, but because they obviously represent Paraguay, because their families from there. And that's been going on since the 90s, basically. They were not good enough for,

Argentina basically. So they look at other options. And that's not just in, obviously, in Paraguay that's happening around the world. So yeah, I think when you look at, we have to say, that's how Mexico is getting a lot of their players. Yeah.

I mean, I mean, some Argentine people as well. But that's through, you know, naturalization. That's due to being playing in a league at X or something like that. This is a bit more different. It's like you have your family lineage.

And so it's kind of that sort of thing of like, hey, you know, I have a backup because not a lot of players do. And if you're like a very talented player, then and obviously what not good enough for Argentina, then look at the other options. So anyway, this is to say like if we had to choose an enemy, it would probably be Argentina just because I think anyone wants to beat Argentina. Let's be real.

I guess much it. We always talk about the like the beef with Brazil, with Chile, with Uruguay, even around the world. I think it's especially now that they're the world champions and they're doing so well as the best team in the world. I think anyone would love to beat Argentina these days. but I think it also just comes to cultural similarities as well. Okay, interesting.

Because I thought I figured right now, Argentina is the, you know, they're the big game to bring down. But, you know, 25 years ago, when Brazil was winning the World Cup and Argentina was like crashing out in the group, maybe it was Brazil. But you're saying that cultural, like, ties between the two countries.

Yeah, just so many players have played there as well and they've kind of made their name you know that it also goes through there we've had several paraguine players that have played in the argentine league who have made their name there as well some for good some for bad um so you know obviously there is always that trash talking that comes from them you know sometimes you know the famous goalkeeper jose louis chilavert famously played in argentina he scored so many goals as a goalkeeper um but he always like bashed him yeah he was always like very critical of of uh and of course defending himself and paraguines the whole it's like you got to respect us, you know, you can't call us these things, you know, like, you know,

I'm not going to say it here because it's, it's very vulgar, but, you know, you get what I'm saying. Like, you know, that's sort of like xenophobic sort of thing towards Paraguayans. And so, yeah, I think it just comes from that as well. And I think it also, you know, obviously you have a generation that is influenced from there. And, you know, social media obviously is playing a factor too when it comes to that. So, but I think ultimately there's always still appreciation. as much as they are the enemy, but there is also that appreciation. It's not like, you know, U.S.

I mean, I think from a political standpoint, obviously, there's always going to be some sort of appreciation to a country, to another country. But at the end of the day, it's all sports. And there isn't that sort of hate historically that was like with Argentina, with England or, you know, Germany and England and, you know, other countries that have that sort of like. France and Germany. France and Germany.

Yeah, yeah. Those sort of like historical path. I mean, if we look, if we wanted to go from a war perspective, then we would have said Brazil is the enemy, but obviously this is just soccer we're talking about. But it does seem like Argentina, you know, Paraguayans value and cherish their indigenous heritage. Of course.

Argentina doesn't really do that, right? Yeah, because they have the European influence. And so that's kind of like they're, you know, I don't want to be that stereotypical, but like, you know, for some, they feel more European than actually South American. or indigenous or whatever. Just a little Italy down there. At least, yeah.

So it's down to like just pride as well. And also, you know, the underdog. I think that's always the big thing as well. You know, you are the underdog story that wants to beat the big brother or like, you know, the one that is obviously better than anyone else. So, you know, even if we go back to when they beat Brazil, like that's a huge thing. It's a huge thing for us. Maybe for the Brazilians, they don't really care as much.

Maybe for the Argentines, they care a little bit more just because, historically as well they've also made like if you look at the history of the games between Argentina and Paraguay there's always been like difficult matches draws Paraguay sometimes winning Argentine sometimes winning it's always been open

so there's been that sort of like back and forth between the two countries when they face each other because I think ultimately that's also the best way to judge a rivalry is you know how they do when they do face off like if a team is dominating and always winning games for the last 20 years doesn't make it as competitive

but because Paraguay have been able to get wins they got results and whatnot, Argentina have as well, and there's been that sort of like parity. It makes it much more interesting to see that for, I think for both countries, they view that game as like, oh, God, this is a big one.

It could be a bogey team. It could be the game that we can show off and make our name for ourselves and go from there, I think. Ascension, can you tell, I mean, I, the scene in these qualifiers at the Estadio, uh, uh, uh, uh,

defencers. Del Chaco? I say Defensor's del Chaco. They say win over the sponsorship, but it's Defensors El Chaco. Okay. Okay. Defensoros del Chaco.

I mean, the scene in there is like awesome. And it's not a huge stadium, what, like 35,000 or something? Yeah, roughly. But it's very old. What's, have you, I assume you've been to it and seen a game there? Several times. So it's just like tucked in the neighborhood, right?

It's like just. Yeah, it's right there in like one of the more middle class sort of area. I think it's not known for my, okay, It's based in a place called Sajonia, so that's like in the, my geography of Paraguay is even good as well. It's right there in like the middle section of Assumcunso. So away from like the city center, it's like, you know, structured into a neighborhood. So, you know, you got like just residential houses nearby. It's not like the case here in America that you have like just a big stadium and everything else is not.

Yeah, everybody just walks in. Yeah. People can walk in. And I think that's, I think that's obviously very commonplace in a lot of South American stadiums as well. So yeah, no, it's very packed. It's very, you know, obviously for opposition as well, as much as Paraguay also are a difficult team. You have to look at the environment and the climate. It's very hot, usually, very humid.

So it's different, you know, Bolivia has its altitude. Columbia does as well. Ecuador. But, you know, you have this sort of like environment that, you know, is very sticky. And this is not just in the national team perspective. There's also in Copalierta-Ores and Sue Americana and those international competitions as well. And of course, yeah, that crowd getting on to you. It's, you know, 35,000 people coming at you.

It feels like a cauldron, essentially. So when things, especially when a team plays well, they are really going to stick them. It's not like that intimidating when you compare it to like a bonbonera or a Maracana or something like that. But, you know, just everyone being packed in and, you know, you kind of feel that pressure, especially given how difficult the opposition is as well. I mean, obviously, if you have the good homeway field advantage, I think your team should also have that sort of chip on their shoulder as well. It makes no sense to have such a raucous crowd, in my opinion, at least you have such a raucous crowd,

but the team doesn't do well. So I think when you have those two factors in, yeah, it's a fun place to be when you are a home fan. If you're an opposition fan or you're an opposition player, it's pretty difficult. I imagine a fun place to see Diego Gomez hit a Travella for the game winner against Brazil. Oh my God, yeah, a bicycle came from Antonio Sanaria, penalty from Julio En-Ciso. I mean, you could name it.

I think it's... You really like Enceo, huh? He's kind of your guy. Yeah, I guess so. I guess he, you know, and I know we're talking just two days before, just a day after he scored two goals against Monica in the Cup of France. But yeah, I think, you know, there's a reason why we call him the Jewel, La Jolla. I think he's just that special.

And certainly we haven't had a Paraguayan player this talented at this age in quite some time. And, you know, the fact that, you know, he kind of has his sort of debate. You know, he opens debates as any young player wouldn't. But no, I think he's certainly very talented. And he's demonstrated that when he was in the Premier League, obviously he was very unlucky with injury. But now he's at Strasbourg. Now he's in France. And he's killing it there.

And so, yeah, the fact that he's only 22, I think it shows that, like, come World Cup time, if he performs well, then his value is going to skyrocket. Like a lot of these guys, Yo Gomez, who's around that age as well, you know, I think a lot of these guys who are on the younger scale are going to, I think they're going to impress a lot of people in this World Cup,

in my opinion. The people that we got to watch out for, I mean, we'll come back to this topic, listeners, before the World Cup happens. This isn't like the final word from us on it, but Julio and Ciso, Miguel Amarone, Diego Gomez, those are the, those are the exciting players, right? Yeah.

For you. Anybody else? Yeah, no, totally. I think you have to mention the captain, Gustavo Gomez, the centerback who plays for Palmeidas, who's been one of the best defenders in South American quite some time. They're obviously winning a lot of titles at Palmeidas, be it league titles in Brazil or Kobayerta Aorta Aorta. You know, I think he also has kind of gotten a lot of appreciation after getting so much

hate, Simulte-almiron, just because, like I said, He's performed so well for his club, but he was not able to do and replicate that for the national team. I think we have to definitely mention him. For other people that watch the Premier League, and I'm sure you've been watching sort of how Sunderland have been kind of hunting above their own weight in the Premier League, trying to, obviously not get relegated, but also to compete to, hey, maybe finish in a European spot. You never know. But Omar Leredete is the starting centerback. He's coming from Gettafe. He's 29, I want to say, yeah, 29.

and he's been one of their starting players. He's been one of their better players, actually, if you think about it. So I know he doesn't get a lot of love in comparison, like Shaka or whatever, but he is one of those players that is getting, you know, a lot of attention, I guess, on someone doing so well. And yeah, you know, I think there's several players. I think there's several players, obviously, Antonio Sanapria, who scored the bicycle kick against. He looks like a real number nine.

He's got his, yeah, it's interesting. He's got his, you know, he plays in Italy right now. He's at Cremonese with Jamie Vardi, but he's had. quite the career there playing in Spain, other clubs in Italy. And, yeah, I think there's just so much. I mean, obviously, we have to wait for the final squad to be announced in about, like I said, a couple months' time.

But, yeah, I think when you look at, like, the general sense of the player, you know, if I wasn't going to be biased, I'll say they're all good, they're all great, they're all going to compete and win the World Cup. But no, I think when you genuinely look at players that are, like, actually going to be, like, crucial. Yeah, definitely on me, don't. Definitely the two goal misses.

I think sort of that, that spark plug, that guy that's really going to change a game, you know, the X factor has to be in CISO for me. Okay. Okay. Pulio. You guys were, it seemed like you guys were impressed or your co-hosts because I know you follow, you kind of follow the U.S. men's national team a little bit. But maybe I was like Federico and Ralph who are, who you often record with.

It seemed like they were, they were struck by the physicality of the U.S. in that friendly in, what was it, October? Anyway, it was in November. November, yeah. Okay. I was there, so I definitely remember it. So it's all good. Talk about that a little bit.

Like, I mean, I was struck by Paraguay's physicality in that game. I thought it was a very, it was a serious football match, you know? I mean, yeah, we definitely saw that with the fight that happened at the end. It wasn't just what we saw on the pitch, but also off it that they all wanted to square up with each other. But no, I agree. I think, you know, ultimately, you know, ultimately. you had two teams and Paraguay have obviously been very physical. That's kind of part of their DNA as well.

It's being a very physical, sometimes boring squad. I know sometimes that defensive anti-popball can happen sometimes with, you know, these teams, especially those that are underdogs and whatnot. But, you know, when you get into those things, and I'm sure we're probably going to see that even at the World Cup because I think, you know, the pressure is even more bigger and you obviously want to impress even better and, you know, obviously improve from what didn't work or what did work in the friendly but yeah no i think the i think both teams have demonstrated that sort of like physicality and you obviously saw that from the u.s later when it comes to the technical point of

view and then obviously beating uruguay a couple days afterwards you know and then bear away beating mexico so i think they are two very similar teams that's what i said like you know when the draw it did happen and it's like look you have essentially two teams that are very similar in the way that they play yes obviously you probably are going to I mean, at least in my opinion, you maybe side with maybe Paraguay bit more just because they had their opposition that they play, like in Brazil, Argentina,

and Uruguay, and Colombia, et cetera, whereas the U.S., obviously, they have Conca Cap and they had those friendly. So they haven't even had qualifying campaign. Yeah, no, exactly. Yeah. It's like, you feel like Paraguay, in this sense, they're more battle tested than the U.S.

because of who they had to play and what the stakes were there. Whereas the U.S., they are just preparing. You know, that sort of thing. but no, I genuinely think that you have two sides that are very, very similar in the way that they play. And I think that's going to make the opening game so big. It's just the fact that you have these two teams that, you know, again, that they played each other. Obviously, the familiarity of players that are playing in MLS and obviously those are playing abroad.

But because they are just two teams that just the way that they are stylistically, they have two Argentine coaches as well. That's true. have, you know, players that are of a high caliber, you would say. You know, I still, I think, holistic, if you have to do like a 22 starting players, I think Polisic still would be the best one of the 22, but that's just my opinion. But no, I genuinely think you have, like, you know, players of that similar caliber. That is not one that's, like, overwhelmingly better than the rest is what I'm saying. So.

Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, no Lino-Mal. No, you know, Cristiano Ronaldo, Mbapé, those type of guys.

So that's what makes the game even more fascinating to see when you look at it in a couple months. Who's the centerback, the one who put his elbow into Fuller and Balagans back at the beginning of the game? You know, the first half? That was Goalman. That was Goalman. Okay, okay. He was the one that also had the fight at the end. Yeah.

So he's like a spiritual leader? Yeah, no, he is very much, I mean, obviously on his day, he's, he's incredible. incredible, like, you know, obviously that sort of like physical force that you want in the back and you want someone to actually, you know, pull the game from the scrub of your neck to win. But, again, like many defenders and obviously many captains, he has a feisty side to him. He likes to be, you know, brash and whatnot, like any defender would be, you know, I compare him to like Otamendi, for example. Yeah. When you see him for Argentina, he's always in the middle of things when things get, you know, very tight. Yeah, similar to that for Gustavo Goman.

in Paraguay. So what's your prediction for what's going to happen? I mean, I know it's like anything can happen, but you think Paraguay wins the group and the U.S. gets second? Look, man, I mean, this is always hard. It's, you know, it's hard to predict because we're still. It's impossible. It's impossible.

We're four months away. A lot can change in four months. You know, again, like if this game was bad tomorrow. I mean, we could be four minutes away. It would still be impossible to predict. Yeah. And look at me. Look at my background.

You're asking me the guy, the one guy that did not want this match to happen. It has to happen. And it's the first game. It's like, God. I mean, look, it's, I think the, the, what's it called? The silver lining is that it's a group stage game. If it was a knockout stage game, that would be a bit more like, oh, man, you really got me screwed. No, but I think even realistically, I genuinely think that, like, right now as we talk, I think I see that specific game as a draw.

I don't know. I've just had that in my mind for the last. last two months. Zero, zero? One. Yeah. Give the people something. Yeah.

One one. Yeah. For some reason. Because that's the thing. It's like I'm sure the U.S. even they're feeling the pressure. They're the host. They have to impress.

So, you know, there's so many storylines and factors going into both these teams. And I think that it might be a bit much. You know, obviously I'm a big fan of history. And you look at also the history of how the U.S. typically start.

World Cubs, they start off a bit slow, then they get better. So if you go from that end, I'd probably still go for a draw just because, again, you have two similar teams, you have two sides that easily want to impress, and like the sort of pomp and circumstance of the first game, you know, all the other factors going in, I got a one-one draw on this one, man. I think both of them will qualify for sure. I think they will definitely qualify. Okay.

Okay. I mean, I guess three teams from a group can qualify. Yeah. They're just making it easier and easier. Yeah, no. I mean, look, again, if I had the prediction, like right now as we speak, I think the U.S. win the group, just because I think there's still that advantage being the host country, I think that's always going to be a factor.

I think only two teams in the last, like, the last 96 years of the World Cup has failed to get out of the group. And now it's like, dude, there's an extra spot for a third place team. Like, you really need to be bad to not qualify. I mean, think about it. You've got 75% of the countries that will go to the next round and 25% go out. So it's like, again, you have to be really bad to not qualify. Unfortunately, one team is going to have to be last place, and I think that's going to be Australia.

So I'd say, Paraguay 1, sorry, USA 1, Paraguay 2, and then the European team, which I think it's going to be Turkey. I don't know. But I'm like siding towards them. I think they finished third. But it's going to be really tight. Like, I think, like, it's not going to be like, obviously, because of my prediction, the U.S. won't get nine points, and I don't see that either way. But I think it's going to go down to, like, goal difference and maybe even fair play. It's because it's going to be those that tight of a group.

That's how I genuinely see it. You know, I was really impressed with the U.S. performance against Paraguay, because partly because of what you mentioned earlier, how battle test is. that that Paraguay national team is and and then also to like get an early lead give up an equalizer and then just kind of stick with it and get the winner later is very it's a it's a very unusual feeling as a fan of the US to watch us do that against the team that's actually trying hard you know it seemed like Paraguay was really oh no it was yeah no totally I think these friendlies and you know even Gustav Arparo has said it like ever since they qualify for the World Cup and all the friendlies they played they um I think they tied jipa

They lost to Korea. They lost to the U.S. And then they beat Mexico. Those, all those friendlies were all just to prepare them like they were actual World Cup games. I think that's always been the mentality. It's not like, oh, it's just a friendly. We'll see what happens.

Blah, blah, blah. And like, no, I think they were genuinely feeling as if though, like, this is, this is going to be similar to the thing that we're going to see at the World Cup. Yeah, that's, and that's really encouraging for me as a U.S. fan to see that, especially in contrast to the Uruguay game, B'I. Where, like, yeah, we beat them 5-1. but I mean they hit their they hit they hated their coach at the time they were getting a lot of pressure there yeah and so that was that was really I just wanted to say that's really something really good to see

from a US US perspective even for us even for us as well I think it also prepares us because I think this is also a good opportunity for Alfado and all these players to like they say okay yeah I I know what I'm getting myself into like I'm sure these guys have already like because they played this match so fresh in their memory, I think they understand like, okay, I know that, you know, Giorayno's like this. I know that, you know, Baligan plays like this or whatever. And I'm sure those guys even feel the same way. Like, okay, this is how Enceo plays. This is how

Un-Me'd own plays, that sort of factor. So I think it also helps them as well be prepared of like, okay, I know these guys. I know what to expect. And I can either I can make myself better so that I can help my team win and have a good performance as well.

How much of advantage? I have just a couple more questions, then we'll be done. Sure. How much of an advantage does Paraguay have against a team like the U.S.? Where in this specific way, I imagine everybody in Paraguay is going to be tuned into this World Cup game. It's going to be everything, right? In the U.S., we can hope that it'll be everything, but probably it's going to be like not even turned on in some bars at first. You know, maybe people.

Do you think? Yes. I don't know, man. The opening game of your first World Cup in 32 years as a host. I don't know, man. And it's like what, the game's at 6 p.m. Cali time. So that's 7, 8, 9 p.m. across the States. I think, and I think it's a...

You think everybody's going to watch in the States? I think... I mean, not everyone. I don't think it's going to break like a record or anything. But it's a Friday night. Think about it. The game's on the 12th. I'll just give you an example.

I live in the interlans. I live in the... I live in the... the hinterlands. So maybe I'm, maybe I'm not the right person, but I just had somebody come up to me at a, at a kid's basketball game the other day.

And they're like, did you hear that, uh, the 2028 summer Olympics is going to have some soccer games in Nashville? And I'm like, I'm like, yeah, but,

you know, there's something else happening first, you know, in my head. I'm like, yeah, that's really cool. That's what I said out loud.

Yeah, that's awesome. Yeah. Yeah. I mean, I'm more like the cat, it's like, you know,

we're talking right now in the Olympics. Like, you know, it's a perfect scenario. We know that the U.S. are playing in whatever sport. People that don't watch it, and they only watch it, like an example. Maybe they don't watch the NHL, but they're going to watch

the ice hockey when the U.S. play in their first game, if, you know, obviously the time zones help a bit more, but I don't know, man. I think people will care just because, I mean, yeah, obviously it will all depend on how well they do. Obviously, if the U.S. go far in the competition, then more people will watch.

But no, I think, again, you know, we're talking in And also, but here's the thing as well. We're also talking to the scenario that we're in this as a country as a whole as well. So maybe there is that sort of apathy towards the U.S. Yeah. Maybe. So there is those factors, but it's still the World Cup.

It's still the biggest sporting event in the world. Again, soccer is not the biggest sport in this country. So again, I don't want to be a homer about it. But I don't know, man. Okay. So you reject the premise. You reject the premise of the question. Okay, fine.

Yeah. I think people will watch it. Yeah, yeah, okay. Okay. So, yeah. But anyway, going back to the Paraguay perspective, yeah, obviously the game is going to be obviously very important. Like I said, it's a Friday evening. It's going to be winter down there as well when you think about it.

So, and it's late. I think it's at 10 p.m. local time over there. So there's going to be people doing their barbecues or they're going off of work. And maybe they have to call out sick tomorrow. I don't know. Well, it's a weekend, so probably not. But no, I think it's coming. No, I think it's going to come out of.

really good time for them. And yeah, again, I think just because it's the first game against, you know, in 16 years, against the host country, I think that's always going to be, have, like, record amount of people coming in it. It's starting to get there again, like any other country, like, you know, you, for me, for us, obviously a soccer fan, like, we're obviously going to be very much in tune with it because we know it, but like maybe for those that are backing their, you know, I speak to it. It's crazy when you think about it because Paraguay was such a soccer crazy country, but there are people that probably will only care about it once the World Cup starts, if that makes sense?

Or, like, you know, right now it's like, okay, they're friendlies, whatever, blah, blah, blah. But like, once the World Cup actually begins, it's like, all right, we're locked in. So maybe it's like that for the U.S., you never know. But I genuinely think there is that sort of excite. I hope so, at least, that there will be that excitement when the game starts on June 12th. And people are watching. Yeah. I guess I ask, let me just sort of clarify while I'm asking here.

I ask partly with the context of having watched the Copa, you know, very carefully watching the Copa America final last in 2024. And that's like Columbia versus Argentina. It looks like, it looks like a religious experience, you know? I mean, it's like so intense. I've never seen outside of the World Cup. I've never seen a U.S. men's national team play in a game of that level of intensity. I mean, 120 minutes of like end-to-end action, people going in as hard as possible on challenges,

totally relentless. and the quality is so high. And I think, like, how do you get that if unless soccer is, unless football is just the preeminent pastime in a country, you know, where it's like, it really matters, it really matters a lot to those players to be able to be in that moment. And it just doesn't, I don't know, I've seen our, our U.S. team play in a situation like that. And I guess I, that's why I'm asking, like, is there an advantage for Paraguay in that sense? Because it's just so culturally committed to soccer?

Yeah. And I even, like I said, I even think it's also just the pressure. I think a lot of this place, you know, we have this discussion with some friends and whatnot about like how, for some, for some people, the only way that the U.S. will be relevant and how soccer will be relevant in this country would be, they win the World Cup. Now, again, that's not something that is realistic because there are so much their teams out there. In Paraguay, you can dream about that. That's actually something that people dream. And like, yeah, obviously they say more tongue and cheek.

But like you said, that is also part of their feeling like, yeah, maybe we could do it. Maybe it could happen. Whereas the U.S., it's like, ha ha, yeah, it's funny. Yeah, again, so there is that cultural difference. I agree. But again, also the pressures of being the host, you know, the fact that they have to impress. like I said, so many people that are expecting on this one for them to perform well. Like I said, when you ever see a national team perform, and because soccer is kind of the last

sort of sport that hasn't been able to win at a huge level, like, you know, we've seen our basketball teams win Olympic medals and baseball, hockey, et cetera. You know, I don't think, again, like, soccer is the last, basically the last big whale to sort of kill basically. I don't know what's the right word, but yeah. Yeah, it's the white whale. The last white whale, I would say. So yeah, maybe there is that factor for Paraguay.

But no, I think it's going to be a special moment for a lot of these guys. They're obviously going to achieve a childhood dream that they get to play for their national team at a World Cup. And so I think there's going to be a lot of emotion from everyone. But I do agree that maybe just because, you know, we're talking in a lot of, an uncertain time in the country as well. So that's also, we have to, we can't ignore that either. I think there are a lot of differences in what the U.S. could do as opposed to, what I'm

saying is a lot of people will back the Paraguay national team in Paraguay. I don't think that will be the case in the U.S., even from those that are soccer fans. So again, yeah, maybe that gives them less pressure. You never know, maybe more pressure. There's just so many factors coming in. So, yeah, that's what's that. Pressure can be a good thing. I don't think it's a draw, man.

That's what I'm saying. It's a draw, so everyone is happy, I guess. Okay. All right, let me ask you a couple of sort of off-topic questions. Sure. Yeah, yeah. The movie, the 1986 movie, The Mission. Thumbs up or thumbs down?

Do you know the movie? I've never seen it, no. It's about the Jesuits and the Guarani. Okay. Trying to hold, in the 1750s, trying to hold off colonialism. I've never seen the movie. You've never seen it? No.

You've never even heard of it? No. The soundtrack is really famous. I bet you, I actually don't know if I've ever seen the movie, to be honest, but I know the soundtrack really well. I've never heard of it. No. Okay.

Never mind that. Now that you gave me the idea, I might as well watch it now. So the next time that we record it, I'll like, okay, yes. Okay. No, I think it is, I, you know, like I said, I'm not an expert on the movie. I'm more know the soundtrack. But I think it really gets into the, the, like what happened when the land got, I don't know,

switched from Spain to Portugal or something, you know, something they did in some throne room in Europe. Who's the, who's your favorite Paraguayan literary figure? I mean, I don't really read a lot of Paraguayan literally. Okay, fine. I mean, Augustine Roabostos is the big one. And that's the main one. He wrote a book called El Supremo, which was based.

on a, the dictatorship of the, what's called Jose Rodriguez in the 1800s. So, but I actually haven't, it's funny. I should probably know more about my culture, but I think it's also the,

like he's like, oh yeah, I know who he is. It's like us. It's like, we know Mark Twain and you know that he wrote, you know, yeah,

but nobody reads Huckleberry Finn anymore. Yeah, I mean, I read it when I was like 12 or something. And then it's like, okay, yeah, I know who that is or I know, you know, Dr.

I mean, Dr. Seuss is not a good example. because I think everyone else were, but yeah, it's just those names that you know. Yeah, yeah, Mark Twain and Dr.

Stu's, yeah, totally. Mark Twain, Herman Melville, you sort of mentioned him earlier with the white whale. Exactly,

yeah, Moby Dick and all that, you know, John Steinbeck, all those guys, like all these authors, like, you know that.

So Gusto Roabastos? Yes. Okay, all right. So. Robbos, my fault. Augusto Roabastos.

Got it. Yeah. Yeah, yeah. Okay. And what are people drinking at these barbecues when they're watching the game at 10 p.m.? Wow. Do you want the cultural answer?

Do you want the honest answer? Both. Yeah. I mean, culturally always Teder-D-D, which is, as you know, mat. It's Yerba-Mate, right? It's Yerba-Mate, but it's cold water instead of hot water. So that's typically, but that's only when it's, like, super hot. And obviously, but not at 10 p.m. either, right?

No, and not in the winter. So they're probably going to drink matte at that. that case. However, because you gave me the good description of what will happen, it's probably going to be beer, 100% beer. What kind of beer? I mean, they have their own. They have something called

Milzen. That's like their national beer, basically. You know, Archine have Kilmes and, you know, all those places, but, you know, we have something called Pilzen, which is, as you could probably tell from the name, it's a Pilsner. So it comes from German influence, but they drink whatever, man. Any sort of beer that's, I could offer, like, I don't know. I mean, I don't think they have Bud Light in Paragu.

I don't remember. I was there two months ago, but they can offer Bud Light and they're like, yeah, let's drink it, dude. Hell yeah. Because it's like, it's free beer and there's a game going on and there's Nassado. You're not going to say no, are you? They're probably going to drink wine actually when you think about it. Probably like Fernette or something. Oh, yeah, because it's the winter time.

Yeah, it's going to be cold. Well, maybe not that cold, but it's going to be cold because it's winter. So I don't know. I would hope that they drink beer. It's for something like this. But it's going to be a popery of food and. drinks and whatnot. Okay, are you going to make it to SoFi for the game?

I don't know yet. That's my honest answer. I do not know yet. Yeah. I'm not going to make it. I might go to the Seattle. I'm probably, I'm more leaning towards no than yes,

just because you see, again, as much as people are also expecting on this game, it's also super expensive. So maybe that's a factor that people want to go. I don't know. I don't know. That's a whole different story. Okay.

Hey, let's let's convene again. before the World Cup starts. Sure. We love that. Thank you for having me. And yeah, I can't wait to obviously discuss this with Paraguay. When the World Cup actually does happen, we get all the squads and everything going on. Yeah, that'll be awesome.

And thank you and thanks everybody for listening. We'll see you.