Thirty-two years. That’s how long the United States waited to host the World Cup again. And when the moment finally arrived on a warm Friday night in Los Angeles, Pochettino’s men didn’t just show up — they put on a show.
The USMNT demolished Paraguay 4–1 at a sold-out Los Angeles Stadium, setting a new record for the most goals ever scored by the United States in a single World Cup game. This wasn’t a win. This was a statement.
Hollywood Couldn’t Have Written It Better
From the very first whistle, this felt different. Christian Pulisic was unplayable — electric, direct, terrifying. Just seven minutes in, he whipped a dangerous cross into the box, and Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla could only deflect it into his own net. 1–0 USA. The stadium erupted.
Los Angeles had waited decades for this. They were not going to stay quiet.
Balogun — Born Ready
If Pulisic lit the fuse, Folarin Balogun was the explosion. Born in New York City to Nigerian parents and raised in London, Balogun had a choice of three nations to represent. He chose the Stars and Stripes — and tonight he proved why that was the right call for everyone involved.
In the 30th minute, Pulisic threaded another inch-perfect pass through to Balogun, who buried it without hesitation. 2–0. Then, deep into first-half stoppage time, Balogun struck again — an emphatic finish that sent the crowd absolutely delirious. 3–0 at halftime.
It was the first World Cup brace by a US player since the inaugural tournament in 1930. Let that sink in. “A real dream. It was a dreamy night,” Balogun said afterwards.
Coach Pochettino was equally stunned by his own team. “In the first 45 minutes, I said we were amazing. It’s difficult to find a team to play like this.”
The One Blot — and One Big Worry
Halftime brought a shadow. Pulisic — who had been absolutely brilliant — didn’t re-emerge for the second half. The US captain was replaced as a precaution, sending a nervous ripple through the partisan crowd. Pochettino quickly calmed fears, saying he believes Pulisic will be fine for the next game. Fingers crossed, America.
Paraguay pulled one back in the 73rd minute through Mauricio, a moment that threatened to give the South Americans some belief. But this USMNT refused to flinch. They had 53 touches in Paraguay’s box by full time, compared to just nine the other way. Paraguay were never really in this.
Reyna — The Perfect Finale
With the game deep into stoppage time and LA ready to explode, substitute Giovanni Reyna received the ball on the edge of the area, checked his options… and curled a sumptuous trivela finish into the net with the outside of his right boot. 4–1. Pandemonium.
It was the kind of goal that makes highlight reels for years. The kind of moment that tells the rest of the world: we’re here, and we mean business.
The United States sit atop Group D. Next up: Australia on June 17 in Seattle.
Man of the Match: Folarin Balogun
