The United States men’s national team (USMNT) kicked off their 2026 world Cup campaign with a historic 4-1 victory over Paraguay at the Los Angeles Stadium in Inglewood, California. The match was a stunning display of offensive prowess, with Folarin Balogun emerging as the star of the show.
Balogun, a 24-year-old forward who grew up in England and played for Monaco in the French Ligue 1, has quickly become a key player for the USMNT. His performance against Paraguay was nothing short of spectacular, scoring a first-half brace that set the tone for the rest of the match.
Balogun’s historic performance
The match began with a quick start for the USMNT, as they took the lead in just the seventh minute thanks to a Damian Bobadilla own goal. The goal came after a brilliant play by Christian Pulisicwho cut between two Paraguayan defenders and laid the ball off for Weston McKennie. McKennie’s cross was guided into the net by Bobadilla’s outstretched foot.
Balogun scored his first goal in the 31st minutecapitalizing on a low cross from Pulisic. With his first touch, Balogun opened his right foot and guided the ball into the right post. He then scored his second goal in the fifth minute of first-half stoppage timereceiving a perfect through-ball and curling a pinpoint attempt into the upper-left-hand corner of the goal.
The USMNT’s dominant display
The USMNT’s dominant performance was not just about Balogun’s goals. The team showcased their strength and cohesionwith Pulisic and McKennie playing pivotal roles in the attack. The defense also held firm, allowing only one goal from Mauricio in the 73rd minute.
The match ended with a dazzling moment from substitute Gio Reynawho scored a historic goal in the eighth minute of second-half stoppage time. Reyna’s curling shot with the outside of his right foot sent the crowd into a frenzy and secured the USMNT’s historic victory.
Looking ahead to the next match
With this victory, the USMNT has established a strong plus-three goal differential going into their next match against Australia on June 19. Head coach Mauricio Pochettino will be looking to build on this momentum and secure another victory in Group D.
The USMNT’s performance against Paraguay was a testament to their growth and potential as a team. With players like Balogun, Pulisic, and Reyna leading the charge, the future looks bright for US soccer.
