Adjacent to Los Angeles Stadium lies the Forum, a former stage for the iconic Los Angeles Lakers during the 1980s. As the US men’s national team kicked off their 2026 World Cup journey before an enthusiastic crowd of 70,492, they embodied the Lakers’ famed Showtime spirit.
The Americans commenced their tournament with a resounding performance, overpowering Paraguay in a decisive 4-1 triumph.
In the lead-up to the match, coach Mauricio Pochettino expressed measured confidence, emphasizing that his squad didn’t require a passionate rallying cry. Drawing from wisdom imparted by a member of Argentina’s 1986 World Cup-winning team, he urged his players to approach the game with joy and concentration.
The team delivered precisely what Pochettino envisioned, showcasing an electrifying first half.
The US seized control from the outset, with Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman engaging in a playful contest to outmaneuver Paraguay’s defenders, leading to two yellow cards for the opposition. The opening goal arrived within the first ten minutes when Tim Ream sent a precise pass to Alex Freeman, who skillfully advanced it for Weston McKennie. The Juventus midfielder surged forward, delivering the ball to Pulisic, who then set up McKennie for a shot that deflected off Damián Bobadilla and found the net.
Unlike previous US teams that often eased off after scoring, this squad continued to apply pressure. Folarin Balogun, making his World Cup debut, netted an impressive brace within a span of 20 minutes. His first came in the 31st minute from a cross by Pulisic, while his second, executed just before halftime, saw him skillfully evade Gustavo Gómez after receiving a pass from Tillman, concluding with a well-placed shot into the top corner.
Pulisic was substituted at halftime, a precaution rather than an injury-related decision, as Pochettino sought to protect his star player from unnecessary fouls as Paraguay sought to regain footing in the match. Following the break, Paraguay appeared more organized, closely tracking Balogun’s movements and tightening their defense to limit the spaces that the US had previously exploited.
Eventually, Paraguay managed to score. In the 73rd minute, a restart from goalkeeper Orlando Gill left the US defense exposed. Tyler Adams’s attempted clearance found Miguel Almirón just outside the box, who quickly set up Julio Enciso. Enciso then played the ball into the path of substitute Maurício, whose shot slipped past goalkeeper Matt Freese.
This goal served as a mere consolation for Paraguay, highlighting some vulnerabilities in the US defense, including concerns over Freese’s hesitant goalkeeping. The upcoming matches against Australia and Turkey are likely to test the US defense further, necessitating sharper focus even with a substantial lead.
However, those challenges are for another day. Since the announcement of the US as co-hosts for this World Cup, every performance by a US player has been scrutinized in the context of this summer’s tournament. On Friday, the team demonstrated a resolve to prove their worth on this grand stage.
To cap off the match, as Paraguay focused on maintaining their goal difference, Gio Reyna, who was introduced as a substitute, elegantly placed the ball beyond Gill using the outside of his boot.
This World Cup cycle has had its ups and downs, but it felt like a prelude to something greater. Under the bright lights that have become synonymous with their preparation, this US team delivered a flawless first half performance.
