Fans of U.S. team nervously await World Cup

• But fans worry the team hasn't lived up to its potential and could flame out.

State of play: The U.S. team opens World Cup play Friday after having lost three of its last four tune-up games.

Yes, but: During the last two games, a 3-2 win over Senegal and a 2-1 loss to Germany, the USMNT controlled play for long stretches and talisman Christian Pulisic broke his scoring drought.

• "We feel good about what we're doing and where we're going," midfielder Tyler Adams said after the Germany game on Saturday.

Flashback: The core of the team — Pulisic, Adams, Weston McKennie, Timothy Weah, Antonee Robinson and Sergiño Dest — was dubbed the Golden Generation in the run-up to the last World Cup.

• The team finished second place in its group to advance to the first knockout round but lost 3-1 to the Netherlands.

The intrigue: Fans are pinning their hopes on the return of center-back Chris Richards, who suffered an ankle injury playing for Crystal Palace of the English Premier League, and only this week was cleared to resume full training.

• The U.S. defense struggled at times against Senegal and Germany in his absence.

What we're watching: Strikers Folarin Balogun (13 goals) and Ricardo Pepi (16 goals), new to the World Cup roster, are coming off big club seasons and could bring firepower the team lacked four years ago.

What's next: The U.S. faces Paraguay on Friday in Los Angeles.

• Next, the team meets Australia on June 19 in Seattle.
• Then the U.S. returns to Los Angeles for its final group stage match against Turkey on June 25.