Englenwood, Calif. – The United States Men’s National Team got the perfect start to their World Cup campaign in their opener against Paraguay.
Folarin Balogun scored a brace, Christian Pulisic orchestrated two assists, and the U.S. scored four goals for the first time in a World Cup match.
Paraguay had no answers after conceding an own goal in the seventh minute. From there, the U.S. called in the cavalry. Balogun added two before Gio Reyna put the cherry on the top in additional time.
Focus now turns to next Friday against Australia in Seattle.
Matt Freese
A good night for the U.S. goalkeeper who was a big part of getting a win in the World Cup Opener. Freese didn’t have much to do during the match, Paraguay struggled to create as many chances as the U.S. Freese was good in distribution and conceded the one goal late on. He couldn’t do much against the well-placed finish. 8/10
Chris Richards
A World Cup debut for the defender. Richards got the start despite concerns over his recovery. Richards completed all 83 passes he attempted against Paraguay. It’s the most passes with a 100% accuracy rate in a World Cup match since 1966. A very composed debut. He defended well and added much needed stability. 9/10
Tim Ream
The oldest U.S. player to start in a World Cup match now belongs to Ream. He had a very strong showing. His passing range was brilliant and he was key in placing passes in between lines to the midfield and out wide. On the Paraguay goal, he got caught out and that led to an easy finish and ended the opportunity of a clean sheet. 8/10
Alex Freeman
A good performance from the young right back. He was fluid going forward and put in a good defensive shift when he was called upon. He put in dangerous balls and created a lot going forward. The U.S was clinical and fluid in possession, a playstyle that led to a dominating World Cup Opener. 8/10
Antonee Robinson
The left back produced a strong performance in the World Cup Opener. Robinson was rapid on the left flank, linking up well with Pulisic and creating dangerous opportunities. He also defended well in 1-v-1 situations up against some Paraguay dangermen. A solid showing. 8/10
Tyler Adams
Adams was in at the defensive midfield pivot alongside Malik Tillman. Adams showed his class defensively. He broke up several Paraguay attacks and offered composure and quality linking up the midfield. He got into pockets of space and progressed to play forward. 8/10
Malik Tillman
Tillman played alongside Adams in the defensive midfield pivot. He also defended well, but was beneficial in his midfield rotations that opened a lot of space going forward for the U.S. Tillman was subbed out in the 82nd minute for Reyna. 8/10
Sergino Dest
Dest featured as a winger in the 4-2-3-1 formation. It was fluid and he defended well and was dynamic and bright going forward. He had an opportunity at goal but let the touch get away from him. He created a lot of chances on the right flank and provided a boost to an already stacked offensive formation. 8/10
Weston McKennie
McKennie was in at the ten position for the U.S. Most of the U. S’s attacking threat went through McKennie. He got into pockets of space well and played very dangerous balls. On all four goals he played a part and was key in the U. S’s opening win. He and Pulisic linked up well on the opening goal. 9/10
Christian Pulisic
Captain America showed up when it meant the most for his nation. Pulisic was untouchable out wide and delivered two assists in a half that the U.S. dominated in every facet. He was subbed out at the half for Sebastian Berhalter after taking a kick to the calf. The sub was precautionary. 9/10
Folarin Balogun
Welcome to the world stage. There’s not much better World Cup debuts. Balogun scored a pair of wonderful goals to propel the U.S. to utter domination in their World Cup Opener. It could’ve been a hat-trick without the offsides goal early on. Balogun placed the ball into the bottom corner off a cutback for the first goal, before slamming one into the top left corner to complete the brace. 9/10 man of the match
Substitutes
Sebastian Berhalter
Berhalter entered the match at the half for Pulisic. He added additional quality in the middle of the pitch and created dangerous chances. An effective showing for his World Cup debut. 7/10
Ricardo Pepi
Pepi came on in the 72nd minute for Balogun. He got on the end of some dangerous balls, and he could’ve added a goal himself. Pepi added another dimension to the U.S. attack, getting in behind and getting on the ball in pockets of space. 7/10
Gio Reyna
Reyna replaced Tillman in the 82nd minute, pushing out wide and linking up play well through the midfield. Reyna also scored a wonderful goal that made it four in stoppage time. He remained composed and whipped a “trivela” into the far corner to top a perfect night. 8/10
Mauricio Pochettino
For so much pressure leading into hosting the World Cup and the environment since Pochettino took over the U.S, all that heaviness disappeared in less than 30 minutes. He had the U.S. playing exciting, aggressive, beautiful soccer.
The U.S has now scored more goals in the 2026 World Cup than in the entirety of the 2022 edition. Attacking wise, the U.S was fluid and rotated throughout. Paraguay never truly had an answer for Pochettino’s men going forward.
The U.S dominated and won their World Cup Opener. They showed up when it mattered most and made a statement. It’s a dream start for Pochettino that allows the nation to dream. Defensively, they could still clean up a few things, but what a night. 8/10
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Spencer Baldwin 
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