Los Angeles Stadium – How do you celebrate scoring twice on your World Cup debut and helping your team start the tournament with a 4-1 win?
“You know, watch some Netflix,” USA striker Folarin Balogun joked after registering a half-goal in the U.S. men’s national team’s loss to Paraguay on Friday.
Balogun called it “a dreamy night” and he couldn’t have described it better. That’s because the Americans could hardly have started this home World Cup better. Even Balogun, who imagined what the moment might feel like, said the real thing is measured.
“Yes,” she said smiling. “It was pretty similar.”
There were 70,492 hopeful fans who battled Los Angeles traffic to support this squad. They were dressed in their patriotic bests, had paid a fortune to be there and were probably hoping to see a bit of history.
While the team has always had a loyal following, this World Cup presents an opportunity to expand that base. The Americans’ tournament opener attracted everyone from Leonardo DiCaprio and Katy Perry to Bill Gates and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar. And the millions watching from home, as well as those in the stands, were rewarded with one of the most entertaining and entertaining American performances in recent memory.
Midfielder Weston McKennie, who had dyed a section of his hair red, white and blue, told reporters after the game, “For everyone who says football is boring, well, you had five goals today.” “So hopefully they won’t say that anymore, and they’ll feel the electricity in the stadium and the passion seeing the fans who have been with us for years and decades. …
“The one thing that will change football is hosting the World Cup here, because I think a lot of people will be impressed by the passion of the fans and the lengths they go through to get here.”
(Photo by Jared C. Tilton – FIFA/FIFA via Getty Images)
Whether you came in as a die-hard fan or not, the first 45 minutes sucked you in. The US performed brilliantly, scoring three goals before halftime – equal to their entire output from four matches at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.
In the seventh minute, Alex Freeman started the attack, McKennie made a brilliant cut away from a defender and Christian Pulisic split two defenders near the box before sending the ball back to McKennie. His effort towards Balogun took a lucky deflection off Paraguay defender Damien Bobadilla and rolled into the goal to give the US an early 1–0 lead.
As beer rained down from the upper deck, the pro-American crowd erupted in optimism and celebration.
“It means everything to us,” Pulisic said of the visible and vocal fan support. “I mean, to have that kind of a half going on and having the fans really excited about our performance, it felt amazing.”
Balogun scored two more spectacular goals before halftime – one which was fired straight into the top left corner. And then Gio Reyna, whose first World Cup four years earlier had gone dramatically sour, scored a fine fourth and final goal with the outside of his right foot.
Doubts have surrounded this team for years. Much of this is self-inflicted, stemming from a disappointing performance at the last World Cup, disappointing results in other major tournaments and a perception that they are wasting their golden generation of talent.
This summer’s tournament has been seen as an opportunity to change the stigma. To further football in this country, ignite passion among fans, unite people.
Since Mauricio Pochettino became manager in September 2024, he has repeatedly said, “Why not us?” That mantra has resonated with the players and has become part of the fabric of this team.
Its effect was visible against Paraguay. This was the start the team needed. The Americans were to attack hard, fast and continuously for more than 90 minutes.
“We have to believe,” Balogun said. “You can’t do anything if you don’t believe in yourself.”
United States vs. Paraguay Extended Highlights | 2026 FIFA World Cup™
After the match, Pochettino hugged each of his players before leaving the field. He told them he was proud of the result, but even more so of their performance.
Now the hope will be that we continue to achieve great victories. The Americans continued Group D play against Australia in Seattle on June 19 before returning to LA to play Turkey on June 25.
“We can take a deep breath,” Pulisic said of the first match ending. “But we still have a lot to achieve in this tournament.”
