Former Vice President Kamala Harris, Second Lady Usha Vance, Brad Pitt and Paris Hilton were among the VIPs at the USMNT’s World Cup group match against Türkiye in California, where Aaron Trusty scored early in a game the Americans had already qualified for.
Thursday night at Los Angeles Stadium carried a familiar World Cup rhythm for USMNT fans — but the backdrop was anything but ordinary. Inglewood welcomed a star-studded crowd as Mauricio Pochettino’s side took on Türkiye in their third group-stage match. a contest played after the United States had already secured its place in the round of 32.
Still, the “little to play for” situation didn’t empty the stands. Former Vice President Kamala Harris was spotted watching from the venue alongside her husband, Doug Emhoff. Emhoff posted a photo of the couple smiling during the game. captioned “Goal!” just moments after Aaron Trusty gave the USMNT the lead inside the first two minutes.
Usha Vance — the Second Lady of the United States — was also in attendance. She was seen in the stands as FOX cameras cut to her during the national anthem. The outing came just days after she fired back at the New York Times over their analysis of her maternity wardrobe.
Vance is expecting her fourth child with Vice President JD Vance. She announced the pregnancy in January, sharing that the couple are expecting a baby boy. The post also noted that they are already parents to sons Ewan, eight, and Vivek, five, and a daughter, four-year-old Mirabel.
For the acting crowd, Brad Pitt made the trip as well. He was spotted taking in the action alongside Fight Club co-star Edward Norton. with the two seen deep in conversation when FOX cameras turned to the pair. The buzz didn’t stop there. In another suite inside the stadium. actor Ashton Kutcher and NFL stars Puka Nacua and Ty Simpson were seen watching together.
There was more screen and spotlight presence before kickoff too. Jessica Alba was spotted inside the Los Angeles Stadium in a suite with a group of her gal pals, taking selfies and soaking up the atmosphere. Owen Wilson was also present, seen down on the pitch earlier in the day.
Paris Hilton kept her World Cup role moving as the match approached. She presented the match ball before kickoff while sporting a custom jersey with her name on the back. As the game got underway. she was later seen pitch side with her husband Carter Reum. their son Phoenix and their daughter London.
Other arrivals and moments added to the carnival feel around the venue. Keegan-Michael Key and Jaime Camil posed for a photo together prior to kick-off in California. Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Tyler Glasnow stopped for a quick interview in Inglewood after arriving at the stadium in great spirits. Glasnow is currently sidelined with a back injury until August. but still chose a casual outfit for the night: a plain white t-shirt. black trousers and white shoes.
Retired gymnasts Nadia Comaneci and Bart Conner arrived together for Thursday’s game. Former Irish soccer star Robbie Keane and his wife Claudine posed before the match. Jennifer Affleck — tied to The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives — smiled at the cameras as she arrived.
UFC star Brian Ortega and singer Kelly Rowland also struck a pose before the game began, joining the stream of celebrities who turned a group-stage match into a full-on red-carpet event.
The VIP spectacle, though, was ultimately anchored to the early moment that changed the tone of the night. With Trusty putting the USMNT ahead inside the first two minutes, the stands — even the ones packed with headline names — had something immediate to react to.
USMNT Türkiye World Cup Kamala Harris Doug Emhoff Usha Vance JD Vance Brad Pitt Edward Norton Paris Hilton Carter Reum Aaron Trusty Pochettino Inglewood Los Angeles Stadium