USMNT starts – The U.S. men’s national team delivered a 4-1 win over Paraguay in its World Cup opener, with Folarin Balogun scoring twice and Christian Pulisic drawing praise from the home crowd as the tournament began to feel like it could still belong to the Americans.
When the U.S. men’s national team opened its World Cup with a 4-1 demolition of Paraguay, it wasn’t just a good result. It was the kind of start that can change what fans feel week after week — especially after days of ugly headlines that had already cast a shadow over the tournament.
In Inglewood, CA, the mood shifted quickly. Christian Pulisic. sensing the energy of the night. pointed to the sight and sound of the home crowd. all the red. white and blue in the stands and the chants that kept rolling as the U.S. pressed forward. “Being in America. having this crowd around us. seeing the red. white and blue. all our red-and-white striped shirts in the crowd. it’s awesome. ” he said. “I mean, hearing the ‘U-S-A’ chants, it’s really pushing us forward. So we just hope it continues like that.”.
The scoreboard didn’t flinch once the U.S. found its rhythm. Folarin Balogun scored twice in the first half. including the kind of goals that feel made for the highlight reels that bring new fans into the sport. His first brace marked the first time a U.S. man has scored two goals in a World Cup game in almost 100 years.
The match started with intent. In the seventh minute, Pulisic split two Paraguayan defenders, then calmly crossed to Weston McKennie in front of the goal. McKennie’s shot deflected in off Damian Bobadilla, giving the U.S. the early lead. Even though it was credited as an own goal. the effect was the same: Paraguay looked stretched. and the Americans kept moving.
Pulisic later described the night as a click of everything coming together. “We have the ability to play and do the things that we do on the ball. score goals. but today just the effort. everything was there. ” he said. “So to me, not a huge surprise, but the things were definitely clicking and it’s really nice.”.
There was a moment that threatened to disrupt the flow. A Paraguay goal came in the 73rd minute. a score that was described as probably a loss of focus rather than a collapse caused by Paraguay’s attacking brilliance. But the U.S. kept controlling the game. The Americans were so dominant they easily could have scored another six or seven goals.
The U.S. doubled its lead in the 31st minute with a well-built sequence. A run from Antonee Robinson up the sideline ended with a pass to Pulisic, who found Balogun in front of the goal. Balogun didn’t hesitate, rocketing the ball into the net off his instep for a 2-0 lead.
Balogun’s first goal came with a twist: a strike in the 28th minute was waved off because Pulisic was offside. The disallowed moment didn’t hang over the team for long. Three minutes later, Balogun made sure the story stayed positive.
His second goal arrived with even more artistry. After briefly losing the ball on a challenge by a Paraguayan defender, Balogun controlled it again and buried it in the upper corner of the net.
“It’s a dreamy night,” Balogun said.
For defenders, the feeling wasn’t just relief — it was disbelief that a night this open, this energetic, was even possible for the group.
Chris Richards. a defender for the U.S. joked that the Americans might have been spoiled by what they saw on the scoreboard. “Usually we don’t get five goals in a game,” he said with a laugh. “But. regardless. if we can keep playing like that. keep putting a lot of goals in the back of the net. we’re going to be a tough team to play this tournament.”.
The U.S. coach, Gregg Berhalter, had set expectations in a way that framed progress as something earned. He believes a trip to the World Cup quarterfinals would be a huge achievement for the USMNT and a milestone moment for American soccer.
Of course, beating Paraguay does not guarantee a title run. The tournament is still long, and the U.S. team itself knows it. But the message this performance sent was immediate: the Americans didn’t just compete — they played with assertiveness and creativity rarely seen from the USMNT. and they gave fans a reason to believe the home World Cup can still deliver spectacle.
Mauricio Pochettino — who likes to challenge the idea that outcomes are predetermined — summed up the mindset this group is chasing when he asked, “why not them?”
In the end, the match served as more than a result. It rescued something about the tournament’s emotional center, bringing back the wonder and fun that make the World Cup special in the first place — a victory in itself, even before anyone can say what happens next.
USMNT World Cup Paraguay Folarin Balogun Christian Pulisic Weston McKennie Antonee Robinson Inglewood Gregg Berhalter Mauricio Pochettino American soccer
4-1 is awesome, finally something went right.
I saw the headline and was like ok Pulisic carrying again… but Balogun got two?? That’s wild. Also Inglewood crowd sounded loud as hell, love that for them.
Own goal counts though right? like if it hit the other dude then it’s basically still our goal lol. Doesn’t matter, I guess, but I just hate when they be like “credited as an own goal” like that doesn’t help the U.S. win.
Wait so it was 4-1 but also “ugly headlines” before the tournament? What headlines were those—like cheating or something? Anyway I’m glad they’re playing good, but I’m still nervous because Paraguay isn’t even the toughest team in the bracket. Let’s see if they can do it next game without falling apart.