USMNT scores – The U.S. scored quickly in its 2026 World Cup opener against Paraguay on Friday, June 12, with a goal coming off an own goal by Paraguay defender Damián Bobadilla after Christian Pulisic’s break set up the moment inside SoFi Stadium.
INGLEWOOD, Calif. — The U.S. didn’t wait long to make its statement in its 2026 World Cup opening match. On Friday, June 12, the U.S. men’s national team found the back of the net in the seventh minute against Paraguay — and the decisive touch didn’t come from a U.S. player.
The goal was credited to Paraguay’s defender Damián Bobadilla as an own goal. It started with Christian Pulisic. who made a sharp move to get past a pair of Paraguay defenders inside the box. From there, Pulisic passed to Weston McKennie. His next intended pass was aimed toward forward Folarin Balogun. but the ball instead bounced off Bobadilla’s right foot and into the net.
In SoFi Stadium, the heavily pro-U.S. crowd erupted as the goal landed and the U.S. squad quickly turned the moment into celebration. Players mobbed each other near the center of the pitch, while Bobadilla reacted in disbelief, visibly shaken by the early deficit.
The U.S. goal mattered not just because it was early. but because it came in a way that’s rare even for tournament football. It was the third fastest goal the U.S. has ever scored in World Cup history. It was also the first time in 20 years the tournament has benefited from an own goal. as described during the Fox broadcast.
Gregg Berhalter, the U.S. men’s national team coach, has set a clear benchmark for what success looks like in the tournament. He believes reaching the World Cup quarterfinals would be a huge achievement for the USMNT and a milestone moment for American soccer. In this opener, the U.S. entered the knockout path conversation early — even if the first breakthrough came with a strange bounce from the opponent’s defender.
USMNT Paraguay Damián Bobadilla Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie Folarin Balogun 2026 World Cup SoFi Stadium own goal