sports
USA bulldoze Paraguay as co-hosts romp to victory in World Cup opener
Across the parking lot from Los Angeles Stadium sits the Forum. In the 1980s, it served as the stage for one of American sports’ most enthralling entertainment outfits, the Los Angeles Lakers. Opening their campaign at the 2026 World Cup in front of 70,492 fans, the US men’s national team embraced the Lakers’ Showtime ethos.
TL;DR
- The US men's national team secured a 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their 2026 World Cup opener.
- The team's performance was characterized by an aggressive offensive strategy, reminiscent of the Lakers' 'Showtime' era.
- Weston McKennie scored the opening goal, followed by a brace from Folarin Balogun and a late goal from Gio Reyna.
- Christian Pulisic and Malik Tillman were instrumental in creating scoring opportunities.
- Paraguay managed to score a consolation goal, exposing some defensive weaknesses in the US team.
- Coach Mauricio Pochettino emphasized playing with joy and focus, which the team delivered on for large parts of the game.