USMNT Opens Home World Cup With 4-1 Victory

The U.S. men's national team defeated Paraguay 4-1 on Friday in its first home World Cup opener in 32 years. Folarin Balogun scored twice — becoming the first American to score two goals in a single World Cup match since 1930 — leading an attack-heavy lineup assembled by head coach Mauricio Pochettino. A jubilant Southern California crowd packed SoFi Stadium early to witness the occasion.

The result silenced doubts about whether the co-host could compete at this level. Pochettino's attacking approach showed how dangerous a fully healthy U.S. squad can be. Christian Pulisic was substituted at halftime with an apparent injury, a concern heading into the group stage. The U.S. last hosted the World Cup in 1994, and Friday's result was the biggest statement American soccer has made on home soil in decades.