Balogun Delivers, Pulisic Dazzles — USMNT Announce Themselves at World Cup 2026
By Sportsoya | June 13, 2026
If anyone still had doubts about whether this United States side was ready for a home World Cup, Friday night at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood put those doubts to rest in emphatic fashion.
A 4-1 demolition of Paraguay was not just a winning start it was a statement. Clinical, aggressive, and at times breathtaking, the USMNT gave their fans exactly what they had been waiting years to see on the biggest stage in football.
The Balogun Show
The night belonged to Folarin Balogun. The AS Monaco forward, who switched his international allegiance from England to the United States back in 2023, has always carried the weight of expectation with this squad. On Friday, he finally delivered when it mattered most.
His first goal came in the 31st minute a composed side-foot finish after Christian Pulisic’s run and pass created the opening. His second was something else entirely. Receiving the ball with a defender breathing down his neck, Balogun stayed patient, held his ground, and then unleashed a thunderous strike into the top corner that will be replayed for years.
Two goals, a World Cup stage, and a performance that etched his name into USMNT history. The last American to score more than once in a single World Cup match was Bert Patenaude in 1930, also against Paraguay. That is the company Balogun now keeps.
How the Game Unfolded
The US took the lead as early as the seventh minute through a fortunate but well-worked opening goal. Weston McKennie played Pulisic into space, collected the return ball, and watched his pass deflect off Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla and into his own net. Lucky? Perhaps. But the pressure that created it was entirely intentional.
From there, the US never looked back. Balogun’s brace before half time made it 3-0 and killed the contest. Paraguay grabbed a consolation through Mauricio in the 73rd minute to add brief tension, but Giovanni Reyna ended any lingering anxiety with a stunning outside-of-the-foot finish deep into stoppage time to complete the rout.
Four goals. The most the USMNT have ever scored in a single World Cup match. Against a Paraguayan side that arrived with a reputation for defensive solidity.
Pulisic’s Impact — And His Early Exit
Before Balogun stole the show, it was Christian Pulisic who set the tone. The AC Milan winger was electric in the first half direct, combative, and involved in the build-up to the first two goals. He had a hand in everything good the US produced before the break.
His departure at halftime raised immediate concern. Pulisic told Fox Sports he took a knock to his left calf and came off as a precaution, insisting he expects to be fine ahead of the upcoming fixtures. The US will be desperately hoping that is the case the difference in quality between the first and second half performance underlined just how much this team depends on him when he is at his best.
McKennie, Tillman and Adams — The Midfield That Made It Work
It would be easy to focus solely on the attackers, but the midfield trio of Tyler Adams, Malik Tillman and Weston McKennie deserves enormous credit.
They controlled the tempo, pressed relentlessly, and provided the creative platform that allowed Pulisic and Balogun to flourish. Tillman in particular showed why his form at club level has earned him a starting spot, threading the pass that set up Balogun’s second goal with composure beyond his years.
Pochettino’s Biggest Night Yet
For Mauricio Pochettino, this was the performance his critics have been demanding since he took the job. There have been promising moments a 5-1 friendly thrashing of Uruguay last November but also deeply concerning ones, including a 5-2 loss to Belgium and a 2-0 defeat to Portugal just three months ago.
Friday was different. This felt like a team that has finally understood what their manager wants from them and executed it with conviction.
“I’m so happy. The players deserve big credit about the performance,” Pochettino said after the final whistle. “It’s not only to talk about some names it’s about the collective. The team was amazing.”
What Comes Next
The US now sit top of Group D with three points and a healthy goal difference joining Mexico who demolished South Africa 2-0 in the day’s other standout result.. But Pochettino will be the first to warn against complacency fixtures against Australia and Türkiye figure to be significantly tougher tests than what Paraguay offered.
The defensive wobble in the second half, which allowed Paraguay a way back into the game briefly, will need addressing. A team that can be breached after Pulisic goes off is a team with a vulnerability that better sides will look to exploit.
But for now, none of that can take the shine off what was a historic night for American football.
The World Cup is home. And the USMNT just made sure everyone knows they intend to make the most of it.
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