Statement of Intent: USA Dismantles Paraguay in World Cup Opener

USA 4–1 Paraguay

American soccer fans have waited 32 years for the World Cup to return to US soil. On Friday night in Los Angeles, the USMNT made that wait feel very worthwhile.

First Half

Paraguay surprised many with how they lined up. Julián Enciso — whose fitness had been questionable in the build-up — started, and the Paraguayans set up surprisingly open. In hindsight, that may have been their biggest mistake.

From the first whistle it was obvious Christian Pulisic had a point to prove. He was practically unplayable. Every time he received the ball, Paraguayan defenders were being left for dead. In the 7th minute, Pulisic slipped between two defenders and found McKinnie to the left of the penalty spot. McKinnie, who probably should have pulled the trigger himself, attempted to square the ball — and Paraguayan defender Bobadilla turned it into his own net. An unconventional opener, but the US would take it.

There was a brief concern that the US might sit back and protect the lead. That fear was quickly put to rest. The hosts remained on the front foot and in the 28th minute, Balogun put the ball in the net — only to be denied by an offside flag after some excellent work from McKinnie and Pulisic.

Just two and a half minutes later he got his goal for real. Pulisic, again the architect, delivered a pinpoint cross that Balogun met at the centre of the box, calmly placing it into the net. Deserved, and then some.

Balogun wasn't finished. In the 5th minute of stoppage time, Malik Tillman played him in behind the defence, and Balogun produced a moment of real quality — cutting inside and curling the ball into the top corner with his weaker foot. A perfect first half for the Monaco striker.

Second Half

Pulisic was withdrawn at half time, which raised a few eyebrows among the home support. All signs pointed to precaution rather than injury, but it briefly took the wind out of the stadium's sails.

The second half lacked the fireworks of the first. Chances were sparse from either side until the 73rd minute, when the Americans switched off defensively. A long ball wasn't dealt with. Atlanta United's Miguel Almirón controlled and found Enciso, who played in Mauricio to slot home. A sloppy goal to concede and a brief reminder that the US still have defensive lapses to iron out.

It proved to be only a footnote. In the 8th minute of stoppage time, substitute Gio Reyna put the icing on the cake in stunning fashion. After a 26-pass move worked the ball to the edge of the box, Reyna bent a sublime trivela into the far corner. A breathtaking finish that sent the crowd in Los Angeles into raptures.

Final Thought

Few expected a win of this nature. The US didn't just beat Paraguay — they put on a show. Pulisic's first half performance was as good as anything seen in the opening round of matches, and Balogun's brace announced him as a genuine Golden Boot contender. The big questions going forward are whether they can sustain this intensity throughout the tournament, and whether Pulisic will be fit to face Australia — though all signs point to his substitution being nothing more than a precaution.

32 years of waiting. Worth every second.