Just three days before the World Cup opens, Paraguay's national soccer team held an open practice at San Jose State University's Spartan Soccer Complex, drawing a large crowd of fans, students, and local residents. The team is based at the university during the tournament, creating a campus-wide buzz. athletic Director Jeff Konya formally welcomed the squad, and attendees included senior art major Joel Mendoza, who presented a custom painting, and Evan Burgess, who drove from Oakland with his son Kai, according to the report.

Three Days Ahead: Why San Jose State University Became Paraguay's Base Camp

By choosing San Jose State University as its home base, Paraguay is embedding itself in a local academic community rather than a typical team hotel. The open practice at the Spartan Soccer Complex offered a rare chance for spectators to see professional athletes up close, with high-intensity drills, powerful shots on goal, and precise headers on display, as the report describes. The university's role is more than logistical — it serves as a bridge between World Cup-level competition and grassroots fandom, a dynamic that could shape Paraguay's experience in the tournament.

Senior Art Major Joel Mendoza's Custom Painting: A Fan's Artistic Welcome

Among the most memorable moments of the session was a gesture from Joel Mendoza, a senior art major at San Jose State.. He presented the Paraguay team with a custom painting depicting the San Jose valley and Santa Clara Stadium as a token of gratitude, according to the report. Mendoza noted the unique experience of interacting with players face-to-face, highlighting the personal connections that such open practices enable. The painting itself serves as a symbolic gift, merging local geography with the team's World Cup journey.

Evan Burgess's 60-Mile Drive from Oakland: The Devotion of Bay Area Soccer Fans

Evan Burgess drove from Oakland with his son Kai to attend the open practice, a journey of roughly 60 miles that underscores the regional pull of World Cup-related events . Kai admired the players' consistent intensity and skill, the report says, pointing to the ability of live training sessions to inspire younger fans. The Burgess family's trip reflects a broader pattern of Bay Area residents traveling to engage with the tournament, even before the first whistle of the competition.

Santa Clara's Three-Game Roadmap: Paraguay's Path from Los Angeles to the Round of 16

After their opening match against Team USA in Los Angeles, Paraguay will play two games in Santa Clara against Turkey and Australia. The report notes that these fixtures will further fuel local enthusiasm for the tournament, turning Santa Clara's stadium into a critical venue for Paraguay's campaign. The open practice at San Jose State thus served as a preamble to a busy match schedule that will test the team's preparedness. What remains unclear from the report is how the team's intensive training strategy will translate against a strong U.S. side, and whether the community warmth of the Bay Area can be converted into on-field momentum. The report also does not disclose the players' reaction to Mendoza's painting or the exact crowd size, leaving those details to speculation.