Tensions boiled over in the USMNT’s match against Paraguay, leading to a massive benches-clearing brawl that overshadowed the American victory.
A late-game scuffle involving USMNT defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay’s Gustavo Gómez escalated into a benches-clearing brawl, momentarily marring the USMNT’s 2–1 victory over Paraguay at Subaru Park.
According to a report from Sports Illustrated, a chaotic benches-clearing brawl erupted during the USMNT’s 2–1 friendly victory over Paraguay on Saturday night at Subaru Park, resulting in a late-game red card after “punches were thrown.”
The U.S. men’s national team secured the win after goals from Gio Reyna and Folarin Balogun, achieving their “back-to-back wins for the first time since the 2025 Concacaf Gold Cup.”
The report noted that the victory “wasn’t without a fight,” which broke out in the final moments of the contest.
The incident was sparked in the 91st minute when USMNT defender Alex Freeman and Paraguay’s Gustavo Gómez began to wrestle over the ball near the sideline.
The immediate cause stemmed from a disagreement after the match official signaled for an American throw, leading to Freeman and Gómez physically battling for possession.
The dispute quickly escalated as several players from both teams and the benches pushed into the altercation.
Among the first USMNT players to run over to back up their teammate were Vancouver Whitecaps midfielder Sebastian Berhalter and FC Cincinnati defender Miles Robinson.
During the resulting confrontation, the report confirms that “punches were thrown” between players from the two sides.
Despite the intensity of the scuffle, only one disciplinary action was taken: Paraguay defender Omar Alderete received a red card, “despite not getting into the match as a starter or substitute.”
The USMNT came out unscathed from the late altercation. The win was otherwise a positive night, especially with Reyna scoring “his first international goal in over 600 days.”