WASHINGTON, Nov. 15 (Xinhua) -- Folarin Balogun struck late as the United States secured a 2-1 home win over Paraguay in their friendly on Saturday.
Giovanni Reyna put the hosts ahead with a glancing header after Max Arfsten's pass, before Alex Arce equalized by meeting Miguel Almiron's cross with a lunging header.
Balogun restored his side's lead in the 71st minute, pouncing on a loose ball to fire in from the edge of the six-yard box.
"I think we created chances and that we were the better team," U.S. head coach Mauricio Pochettino told a post-match news conference, adding that the game served as preparation for next year's World Cup, which the United States will co-host with Mexico and Canada.
"Paraguay is a team that I think is very competitive and difficult to beat. But that is not enough. We are happy, [but] we need to keep going and improving so that we reach the World Cup in peak form."
The United States will now turn its attention to Tuesday's friendly against Uruguay in Tampa, Florida, while Paraguay will face Mexico in San Antonio, Texas, the same day. ■
