USMNT Dominates Paraguay 4-1 in World Cup Opener at SoFi

The wait is over. For the first time in 32 years, the FIFA World Cup is back on American soil, and the USMNT made sure the homecoming was a spectacular one. Playing in front of a raucous, sold-out crowd at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles, the United States dismantled Paraguay 4-1 to open their 2026 World Cup campaign with a massive statement. If there were any nerves about performing under the immense pressure of a home World Cup, Mauricio Pochettino's squad didn't show them. Balogun and Pulisic Lead the Charge The U.S. came out flying, taking the lead just seven minutes into the match. A dangerous cross from Weston McKennie forced Paraguayan midfielder Damian Bobadilla into an awkward clearance that ended up in the back of his own net. From there, the floodgates opened. Folarin Balogun was the star of the show, bagging two goals in his World Cup debut and proving exactly why he is the true number nine this team has been searching for. Christian Pulisic, the undisputed leader of this golden generation, pulled the strings all night, picking up two assists and constantly terrorizing the Paraguayan defense. The cherry on top came from Gio Reyna, who capped off the scoring with a gorgeous trivela finish. Reyna then ran to the corner flag, tucked the ball under his shirt, and sucked his thumb — a classic soccer celebration announcing that his wife is pregnant. A perfect end to a perfect night. Setting the Tone for Group D This 4-1 victory is exactly what the USMNT needed to build momentum and goal differential in Group D. While tougher tests await against the likes of Australia and Turkiye, starting the tournament with three points and a dominant performance sends a clear message to the rest of the world. The energy in Los Angeles was electric, setting the tone for what promises to be a historic month of soccer across North America. The boys are buzzing, the fans are believing, and the 2026 World Cup is officially underway. --- Related reading: - World Cup 2026 Kicks Off: USA vs Paraguay Preview and Opening Day Recap - MLB Parity Makes June Prices Tricky