CHESTER, Pa. — For Gio Reyna, Saturday was the hard launch of his campaign to make the U.S. squad for the 2026 World Cup.

For Folarin Balogun, it was a chance to continue the hot streak he had been on with his club team.

And for the U.S. men’s national team, it was a chance to show that the program is headed in the right direction less than eight months out from the World Cup.

A 2-1 win Saturday in a friendly against Paraguay helped show all of that just south of the City of Brotherly Love.

Reyna did something that was 600 days in the making: score with the American crest on his chest, heading the game’s opening goal in the fourth minute.

The United States men’s national team celebrates a goal during its Nov. 15 win. AP

Balogun fired a loose ball in the box past Paraguay keeper Orlando Gill to break a 1-1 tie in the 71st minute.

Saturday was a big test for the Americans as they faced a Paraguay side that already qualified for the World Cup and would give them a taste of how tough things will be when things kick off next summer.

The USMNT hung with Paraguay, controlling possession 54 percent of the time in the first half while getting two of its four shots on target through the first 45 minutes.

Reyna, along with Sergino Dest, proved to be a nuisance for the Paraguayan defense for the better part of the night.

And he was the player — once believed to be the future of the United States men’s program, but who hadn’t had a call-up in eight months — who opened the scoring.

Reyna was on the receiving end of a cross into the box from the right side of the pitch, leaping into the air and heading the ball off the bottom of the crossbar and over the goal line.

Reyna charged to the sideline and was mobbed by his teammates.

The goal was the first headed goal he’s had for either his club team or national team.

The 23-year-old has been one of the main storylines this camp after drama followed him throughout the 2022 World Cup in Qatar, but his teammates expressed support for him throughout the week.

Max Arfsten fights for possession for the United States men’s national team during a Nov. 15 match. Getty Images

That also included the backing of U.S. soccer star Christian Pulisic during an interview with CBS Sports Golazo.

Alex Arce scored the tying goal moments later for Paraguay in the 10th minute.

Balogun scored the go-ahead goal late in the second half off a broken play as the USMNT tried to move the ball into the attacking end, but the pass was blocked by a Paraguayan defender.

The ball sat dangerously in the box before Balogun scooped it up and scored.

Paraguay celebrates a goal during its Nov. 15 match against the United States men’s national team Nov. 15. Getty Images

Saturday’s match was a physical one at times and things intensified in the final minutes of the match when Gustavo Gomez and Alex Freemman tussled over the ball near the sideline, leading to a shoving match and both teams running out to confront one another.

A number of players could be seen pushing and shoving, and at one point, Freeman could be seen shoving another member of the Paraguayan team who was trying to restrain him.

A bottle was also tossed from the stands during the dustup.

Eventually, order was restored and six yellow cards were issued related to the fight.

Paraguay’s Omar Alderete was issued a red card for the brawl.