Four games in, the U.S. men’s national team has assembled the best performance of the World Cup.
The U.S. cruised past Paraguay 4-1 in their Group D opener Friday at Los Angeles Stadium, setting the tone with a relentless first-half showing.
Mauricio Pochettino is known for his high-intensity style that platforms his main attackers. That was on display early with Christian Pulisic looking the most bright. Chris Richards also returned from injury to start alongside Tim Ream and Alex Freeman.
Malik Tillman and Folarin Balogun joined Pulisic up top as the three main attackers supported by two attacking wingbacks.
In the 7th minute, Pulisic and Weston McKennie combined brilliantly on the left flank that resulted in an own goal by Paraguay off midfielder Damian Bobadilla.
The U.S. didn’t stop attacking from there. It came close for a second goal throughout the first half, but just couldn’t get the final touch right for differing reasons.
It then came via Balogun in the 31st minute.
Pulisic once again was key, making an advanced run past Paraguay’s defensive line that left-back Antonee Robinson found with an incisive ball down the flank. Pulisic then cut it back to Balogun, who slotted it brilliantly with force.
But Balogun also didn’t stop there.
Just before halftime, Tillman delivered a through ball down the right channel toward Balogun. Balogun got on the ball, spun his defender, then finessed it into the top left corner with his weaker left foot — a stunning moment given the context.
That allowed the U.S. to take it easier for the second half, though Pulisic came off for Sebastian Berhalter at halftime.
The U.S. saw things out from there, despite conceding one in the 73rd minute to substitute forward Mauricio.
Off a long kick from goalie Orlando Gill, Chris Richards jumped for an aerial too early that in turn opened up the rest of the defense.
Young rising forward Julio Enciso brought the ball down then dropped it into the space on the left flank, where Mauricio ran in to drill it past Matt Freese.
But the scoring didn’t stop there. Gio Reyna, who came on in the 82nd minute and was involved in a shock scandal with 2022 head coach Gregg Berhalter after the Qatar tournament, entered for a chance to rewrite the past.
And he did, scoring an exquisite trivela with the last kick of the game as Alex Freeman earned the assist.
The result sees the U.S. score the most goals in a single World Cup game ever, setting the stage for what could be coming in group play.
The U.S. only had 1.35 expected goals via FotMob’s metric, but that’s a statistic best used to measure league outcomes than shorter tournaments. A better indicator is the U.S. having 53 touches in Paraguay’s box to just nine the other way.
Up next is Australia next Friday, a team that offers a few up-and-coming names but aren’t on the same level as the U.S. when it performs like this.
A crucial week awaits the Stars and Stripes following a memorable performance and scoreline.
Home field advantage can go a long way. Landon Donovan says the U.S. men’s national team will feel the power of playing at home as they kick off group play against Paraguay at the World Cup.
