The United States Men’s National Team is one of the hosting teams for the 2026 World Cup, putting pressure on it to give American fans something to cheer about.
With the pressure of an entire nation on their shoulders and fighting to put soccer on the map further in America, there was no shortage of massive expectations for a young group of players.
Despite everything, they shone on the world’s biggest soccer stage and took a step forward in a tournament that could change the sport’s outlook in the country forever.
The USMNT won 4-1 against Paraguay — a result that does not do justice to how wonderfully the team played.
They were up 3-0 at halftime after coming out guns blazing — pressing up the field and playing a fearless brand of soccer.
Anytime that an American player lost the ball, they were right on the neck of a Paraguayan player.
The American players were constantly scanning the field before even getting the ball when they were in possession, reading the field at all times and knowing what they were going to do before they did it.
Who were the star players for Team USA?
Folarin Balogun, whom the U.S. courted from England for its international squad, showed why he was so highly coveted, delivering two amazing goals and making multiple threatening runs.
He has the potential to be among the greatest American strikers in soccer history, and every ounce of his potential was on display on Friday night.
Additionally, Christian Pulisic was stellar and had the Paraguay defense in a blender all game long, including when creating the opening goal.
He went past a defender with a great dribble move and made an amazing pass to Weston McKennie, who got off a pass that went off a defender and into the net for an own goal.
In previous iterations of this American soccer team, they let off the gas, but instead they pressed and pushed even harder.
It was a near-perfect modern soccer game, with intensity and purpose throughout and a mix of individuality and structure. There are tougher tests ahead, but belief in this group has taken a big leap.
The post USMNT Raising Expectations After LA World Cup Opener appeared first on LA Sports Report.
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