The U.S. men’s national soccer team made a strong start to their World Cup campaign, securing a 4-1 victory over Paraguay at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match took place in front of a crowd of 70,492.
The Americans dominated from the beginning. An own goal by Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla in the 7th minute gave the U.S. an early lead. Folarin Balogun then extended the advantage, scoring twice with impressive strikes in the 31st minute and in stoppage time of the first half.
Game Highlights
- Folarin Balogun was a standout performer, achieving the first multigoal performance by a U.S. player in a World Cup since 1930.
- Christian Pulisic contributed significantly by assisting on the first goal before being replaced by Sebastian Berhalter at halftime.
- Gio Reyna scored the final goal for the U.S. in stoppage time of the second half, sealing a memorable victory.
Coach’s Influence
The team showcased a dynamic and creative style under new coach Mauricio Pochettino. This approach resulted in a higher goal tally compared to their previous World Cup performances, where they scored only three goals across four matches.
Group D Standings
With the win, the U.S. leads Group D, which includes Australia and Turkey. The Americans will face Australia next on June 19 in Seattle.
Notable Spectators
The match attracted several American celebrities, such as Tom Cruise, George Lucas, and Halle Berry, reflecting the event’s significance.
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