USMNT breaks through with emphatic 4-1 win over Paraguay in World Cup opener

Photo: USMNT triumphant celebration as the team rejoices in a stadium filled with enthusiastic fans, capturing the excitement and camaraderie of a memorable victory.

INGLEWOOD, Calif. — After 32 years, U.S. soccer finally experienced a men's World Cup on home ground, offering a chance to demonstrate on-field progress and further popularize a sport eager for a breakthrough.

This moment arrived on Friday with both intensity and grace, as the U.S. delivered a remarkable first half against a typically defensively strong opponent.

The Americans were bold and brilliant, establishing a three-goal lead by halftime en route to a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in front of 70,492 fans at SoFi Stadium.

Inspired by Christian Pulisic, Folarin Balogun, and Weston McKennie, Mauricio Pochettino's team positioned themselves well in Group D before next Friday's match against Australia in Seattle.

"A real dream, you know, it's a dream," said Balogun, who became the first U.S. player to score multiple goals in the World Cup since 1930. "It's a dreamy night."

It was a night for Pulisic, the team's star, to meet high expectations before leaving at halftime due to a sore calf. (He will be reevaluated next week.)

The Americans dominated from the start, controlling the match with few tense moments.

The three-goal victory was their largest in a World Cup since their first match in the 1930 tournament.

The USA soccer team celebrates with intensity and passion during an exciting match, showcasing their determination and teamwork on the field.

Gio Reyna, involved in controversy in the 2022 tournament, ended the night with a stunning goal deep in stoppage time.

"The first half was brilliant," said left wing Antonee Robinson. "You can't get a much better feeling than going into halftime three-nil up. It was a reward for how we played. It felt like everyone was on the same page, and we were constantly threatening their goal."

Pulisic called it "just an incredible start."

McKennie echoed Pulisic, adding, "We don't want to over-celebrate, because we want this to be the norm and the expectation for us."

With a disallowed goal and a missed opportunity, the U.S. could have won by a larger margin.

The U.S. hadn't experienced a World Cup half like that since the 2002 World Cup, when they scored three against heavily favored Portugal. That day, they conceded one before halftime and held on for a 3-2 win, which led to their only quarterfinal appearance in the modern era.

"It was a great match," said Pochettino, a former Argentine World Cup player making his World Cup coaching debut. "It was amazing for our fans to witness this type of game. I am proud because we are gaining fans and growing the sport in America."

Before kickoff, the Americans anticipated a unique atmosphere.

"Walking out and hearing the national anthem, seeing the crowd singing along, that gave me goosebumps," McKennie said. It was "the culmination of all the work the team puts in and the paths everyone took to be here together. That was the turning point for us."

Minutes in, they took control of the night.

Energetic and assured from the start, the U.S. took the lead in the seventh minute. An own goal by Damián Bobadilla was a deserved reward after a great transition put Paraguay under pressure.

USMNT players in red and white striped jerseys stand on the field, one looking composed while the other gestures animatedly, illustrating the intense emotions of the game.

Tim Ream intercepted a pass near the U.S. penalty area. Chris Richards gained possession and passed to Alex Freeman, whose precise pass found McKennie crossing midfield. After dodging a challenge, McKennie passed wide to Pulisic.

This was a prime moment for Pulisic to make his mark on the match and tournament.

Diego Gomez and Juan Jose Caceres stood in his way. Pulisic split them. Two more approached, creating a space for McKennie. Pulisic passed to him. McKennie aimed to pass to Balogun in the 6-yard box, and with Paraguay stretched, Bobadilla's reflexive touch sent the ball into the net.

The Americans kept attacking. Alone on the right side of the box, Dest lost his chance with a heavy first touch.

Balogun finished another American move, but Pulisic was offside earlier, and Balogun was ahead before receiving the final pass.

No such issues arose in the 31st minute. Robinson sent a long, well-weighted ball to Pulisic on the left. As he advanced on the pressured Paraguayans, Pulisic found Balogun in the box for a one-touch, 12-yard finish to the far corner.

While no one on a World Cup field could be bored, goalkeeper Matt Freese came close. Paraguay posed no threat, not due to incompetence but because the U.S. dominated possession.

When Paraguay showed promise, the U.S. shut it down. Ream slipped while backtracking but still managed to head the ball to Richards for a clearance.

The half was nearing its end, but the U.S. wasn't finished. In the final sequence, Tillman threaded a brilliant pass from midfield to Balogun, one-on-one with Omar Alderete. Balogun evaded Alderete's tackle, pulled the ball back from Gustavo Gomez, and fired an unstoppable shot into the top left corner.

Returning to the World Cup for the first time since a 2010 quarterfinal, Paraguay had conceded just 10 goals in its 18 qualifiers.

When the teams returned to the field, Pulisic was absent, replaced by Sebastian Berhalter.

U.S. concentration briefly wavered early in the second half, but they soon regained control. After Pochettino's first substitutions, Paraguay broke through, with Julio Enciso setting up Mauricio for a clean finish to the far corner.

It was a concerning moment for the U.S., which has faced defensive issues this year.

Malik Tillman missed a chance to restore the three-goal lead, but later, Reyna scored a beautiful goal with the outside of his foot from the top of the box.

An unforgettable night kept improving.

"We'll aim for another similar performance against Australia and Turkey," Robinson said. "We may as well dream big."