Bobby Wood Scores Goal, US Men’s National Team Beat Paraguay 1-0 In Friendly Game [VIDEO]

The U.S. Men’s Soccer Team beat Paraguay 1-0 in a game in Cary, North Carolina on Tuesday evening behind a score by Bobby Wood. 

Bobby Wood goal USA vs. Paraguay

Wood’s goal came on a penalty just before halftime of the friendly contest. Zack Steffen made a key save on a Paraguay free kick just before the final whistle to seal the victory.

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Both the U.S. and Paraguay failed to qualify for the 2018 World Cup in Russia, so Tuesday’s game was more about seeing how these teams would compete in the 2022 finals.

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“This match once again represents an opportunity for some new faces,” U.S. interim coach Dave Sarachan said about his 22-man roster, per U.S. Soccer’s official site. “The roster has an average age under 24, so for the most part this is a group of younger players that we feel have a future with the national team along with some familiar names.”

Kyle Martino, a contributor for NBC Sports, and MLSSoccer.com’s Matthew Doyle both stated they think the U.S. men’s team has a bright future ahead of it.

Before his goal, Wood was one of the few issues with the US men’s team in the first half of Tuesday’s game at WakeMed Soccer Park. The 25-year-old Hamburg (Bundesliga) forward was the only striker playing for the Americans, something that only magnified his errors.

Wood’s penalty came after Paraguay goalkeeper Gatito Fernandez fouled 19-year-old New York Red Bulls midfielder Tyler Adams, a youngster who impressed fans who raved about him on social media.

Sarachan just utilized four substitutes in the game, and made no changes until the 67th minute.

The USMNT will next face Bolivia in another friendly game in Chester, Pennsylvania on May 28.