U.S. Men’s Soccer Team Shines in World Cup Opener

The U.S. men’s national soccer team demonstrated their dominance in the World Cup opener against Paraguay, winning 4-1 at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California. The U.S. took control from the start, with their first goal coming in the 7th minute due to an own goal by Paraguayan midfielder Damián Bobadilla.

Star striker Folarin Balogun played a pivotal role, extending the lead with a goal in the 31st minute and another in first-half stoppage time. His performance marked the first multigoal achievement for a U.S. player in the tournament since 1930.

Folarin Balogun of USA celebrates a goal with teammates during the World Cup Group D match against Paraguay at SoFi Stadium on June 12, 2026.

Paraguay’s midfielder Mauricio scored in the 73rd minute, yet it proved insufficient. U.S. winger Gio Reyna sealed the victory with a striking goal in the final minutes of the match. This win positions the U.S. at the top of Group D, which features Australia and Turkey. The next match against Australia is set for June 19 in Seattle.

In the Qatar World Cup four years ago, the U.S. team scored only three goals in total across four matches. However, under the guidance of new coach Mauricio Pochettino, the team showcased an improved, creative playstyle. The turnout at SoFi Stadium was impressive, with an audience of 70,492 cheering the team on.

The New York-born, London-raised Balogun chose to represent the U.S. three years ago, a decision which has been fruitful as he swiftly established himself as a key player.

Christian Pulisic was instrumental, crafting the first two goals with his dynamic runs. Despite being replaced at halftime by Sebastian Berhalter, Pulisic’s influence was evident, setting up the initial pace of the game.

The U.S. team’s cohesion appeared slightly diminished without Pulisic in the second half. Nevertheless, Gio Reyna stepped up, scoring his debut World Cup goal. The event was significant for Reyna, who faced challenges in the previous World Cup due to a family dispute involving former coach Gregg Berhalter.

Many notable American celebrities attended the match, including Tom Cruise, George Lucas, Bill Gates, Halle Berry, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.