Adjacent to Los Angeles Stadium lies the Forum, once the vibrant home of the Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. In front of a packed crowd of 70,492, the US men’s national team kicked off their 2026 World Cup journey, fully embracing the Lakers’ entertaining legacy.
The US launched their tournament with a commanding performance, overpowering Paraguay with a decisive 4-1 victory.
On the eve of the match, coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed calm confidence, emphasizing that no fiery pep talk was necessary for a squad eager to shine on home soil. He encouraged his players to compete with joy and focus, inspired by wisdom from a member of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning team.
What unfolded was precisely the display he envisioned during a spectacular first half.
The US seized control right from the start, with Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman playfully challenging Paraguay’s defense and drawing two yellow cards. The opening goal arrived in under ten minutes, as Tim Ream delivered a precise pass to Alex Freeman, who sent a perfectly timed ball upfield to Weston McKennie. The Juventus midfielder swiftly advanced, finding Pulisic, who selflessly set up McKennie for a shot that deflected off Damián Bobadilla and found the back of the net.
Historically, the US has sometimes relaxed their intensity after scoring during World Cups. However, this squad maintained relentless pressure, with Folarin Balogun making an impressive World Cup debut by scoring twice in just 20 minutes. In the 31st minute, he converted a cross from Pulisic, and just before halftime, he showcased his skill by running onto a pass from Tillman, deftly maneuvering past Gustavo Gómez to slot the ball into the top corner.
Pulisic was substituted at halftime, a precaution taken by Pochettino to protect the team’s star player from further fouls as Paraguay fought to regain control.
After the break, Paraguay displayed improvement, effectively monitoring Balogun’s movements and tightening their defensive lines to minimize the space the US had enjoyed in the first half.
Paraguay eventually managed to score, capitalizing on a misstep by the US defense. In the 73rd minute, following a restart from goalkeeper Orlando Gill, Tyler Adams’s clearance inadvertently found Miguel Almirón, who promptly assisted Julio Enciso. The substitute Maurício then took advantage and fired a shot past Matt Freese.
This goal served as a consolation for Paraguay and highlighted vulnerabilities in the US defense. There were clear gaps for Paraguay to exploit, and concerns lingered over Freese’s hesitation to come off his line. Upcoming matches against Australia and Turkey are likely to challenge Freese’s instincts further, necessitating a sharper defensive performance even when enjoying a comfortable lead.
However, those issues can be addressed later. Since being named co-hosts of this World Cup, every action by a US player has been scrutinized in light of the tournament. Rather than crumble under the weight of expectations, this team showcased their determination to earn their place on the global stage.
To conclude the match emphatically, Gio Reyna, who came on as a late substitute, skillfully placed the ball into the net with the outside of his boot while Paraguay attempted to safeguard their goal difference.
This World Cup campaign has not always been smooth, but it has built anticipation. Under the bright lights where they have trained, this US team delivered a flawless first-half performance.
