INGLEWOOD, Calif.—The United States men's soccer team delivered a stunning 4-1 victory over Paraguay in their World Cup opener, leaving fans and critics alike speechless.
The high-scoring match marked the team's highest tally ever in a Cup game, with Brooklyn-born Folarin Balogun scoring two goals and becoming the first U.S. man to score multiple goals in a Cup game since 1930.
The team's dominant display at SoFi Stadium, which was announced as full at 70,492, was a welcome respite from the controversy surrounding the 2026 North American World Cup.
Despite anxiety about pricey tickets leading to unsold seats, the stadium was awash in fans wearing their red striped jerseys, with Paraguayans also showing up in droves.
As the team takes on the rest of the tournament, expectations are low, but a satisfactory result is considered getting out of the group, with the round of 16, quarters, and beyond seen as remarkable achievements.
